Residence & Ancillary Shed, Infantry Battalion Barracks (fmr)

Parent Place or Precinct

03650 Wadjemup/Rottnest Island

Physical Description

Residence: The primary structure is timber framed and clad with a mix of painted corrugated iron (installed vertically) and fibre cement sheeting. It has a low pitch hipped roof clad in corrugated steel. No archival plans or detailed images of the original building design were uncovered during the process of preparing this assessment, however the construction typology generally adheres to the typical appearance of WWII era construction elsewhere on the island. The building is composed around an L-Shaped central plan, with a linear corridor which runs eastwest along the length of the building. Projecting rooms are located at each end of the northern elevation and it is assumed that an open verandah was once located between. This central section has since been infilled and is notable as a later addition through its differing cladding treatment and metal framed horizontal sliding windows. The previously external corrugated cladding is still extant within. Ancillary Shed: The associated shed structure is located to the south of the main residential building beyond a contemporary water tank and small lean to shed which have been erected in between the two subject buildings. The shed is a simple timber framed building with unpainted vertical corrugated cladding externally and matching corrugated roof sheeting. The external cladding displays some evidence of prior patch repair but largely appears to have only been subject to minor ad hoc maintenance over its lifespan. The design of the structure is utilitarian and functional in nature and contains no internal linings or finishes with the timber framing exposed throughout. Internally the shed is primarily a singular space with no floor finishes and only two small, partitioned areas to the southern end of the structure. Access is gained by a pair of double doors to the western elevation, each timber framed and covered with corrugated sheeting to match the external cladding. A single door opening also exists to the southern elevation however this has been boarded over. Simple two panel timber framed windows are located to all but the northern elevation however broken glazing only remains to some openings. Vertical timber battens have been added to all windows at a later date to prevent trespass and provide some security to the materials stored within. The current contents of the shed is primarily surplus building or refuse material.

Creation Date

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