Vilminore

Statement of Significance

• This place has aesthetic value as a good example of the Post War international style with particular merit in the detail of the stonework. • The place has historic value for its association with the development of this area of Bassendean in the period following World War Two. • The place has historic value for its association with the Ghisalberti family who contributed to the Bassendean community. • This place has social value as a demonstration of housing in the mid-20th century.

Physical Description

A single storey stone, render and brick tiled dwelling with asymmetric plan form. The stone cladding is to the lower half of the elevation only terminating at sill height and laid in a random manner with flush pointing. Render extends from the sill to the eaves. The façade consist of a projecting section with separate hipped roof, three-section windows consisting of a central fixed pane with flanking casements with stone quoining and window head and angled stone tiles forming the sill. The hipped roof extends down to form wide overhanging lined eaves to all elevations. The recessed section of the façade has a verandah across the full width with a separate flat canopy positioned below eaves height, supported on Doric style masonry columns. An integral garage of the same construction method has been built to the side elevation with high parapet wall terminating at eaves height.

History

This portion of Bassendean was subdivided for residential development in the late 19th century with approval for the subdivision granted in 1897. However it was not until the inter war period that this area north of the railway line was more densely settled. Seventh Avenue was originally an extension of West Road but when that was realigned to meet Lord Street, this northern portion was renamed Seventh Avenue which was consistent with the roads parallel. This residence was built in 1954 for the Ghisalberti family. Seraphina and Luigi Ghisalberti were born in Italy and migrated to Australia; Luigi in 1926 and Seraphina in 1928. The couple and their four children lived in Ivanhoe Street and Luigi was employed by Mr Andrews, a winemaker. Luigi Ghisalberti was naturalized in 1933 and died in 1940 aged 38 years old. The family home at 27 Seventh Avenue built after Luigi’s death was, named ‘Vilminore’ after the village where Luigi was born. The contribution of Seraphina Ghisalberti to Bassendean was acknowledged with a plaque on North Road, as part of the Cultural Heritage Pathway for the Australian Bicentennial in 1988, for being the first female migrant in the district. Aerial photographs indicate that the original form and extent of the residence have not changed significantly since its construction despite the addition to the rear of the residence. The lot was subdivided c2005 and a new residence constructed on the rear portion of the original lot.

Integrity/Authenticity

High Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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