House

Statement of Significance

The place at 14 Rowley Street has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons: The place is a fine yet simple example of a timber and iron Federation Bungalow, and its use of timber relatively rare for residences in the historic townsite particularly the western side of the town which is dominated more by brick and stone construction. The house has landmark value with its two-storey form combined with it being situated on the high side of the street and overlooking the townsite and harbour. The place is part of a local streetscape comprising a number of similar residences which typify the type and style of construction in Albany at the end of the 19th century. The place was built at the time of Albany's growth as a result of the construction of the Great Southern Railway and when it was still Western Australia’s major port.

Physical Description

Some of the notable features of this place include: • Elevated position • Two storey timber weatherboard clad residence • Strong streetscape value • Timber weatherboard apron • Timber joinery for doors and windows • Barge boards and finials in gables • Asymmetrical façade with projecting gable • Decorative bracketing and barges to verandah • Oriel window to second storey Some obvious modifications include: • External colour scheme • Addition to roof – second storey

History

The place at 14 Rowley Street was built on original Lot 446. By 1890 the Lot was subdivided to create smaller Lots with 14 Rowley Street located on Lot 1 of 446. In 1949, Albany Council adopted a by-law across designated areas of the central townsite requiring that all dwellings, shopsI and warehouses be built only of brick, stone or reinforced concrete, thereby not permitting timber to be used as the primary building material for external wall cladding. This by-law was not an uncommon one and adopted by most local councils in both metropolitan and regional areas owing to the hazards of timber mainly in relation to fire. However, this later policy makes the timber houses still extant in Rowley Street an important part of its historic and eclectic mix of building materials.

Integrity/Authenticity

Integrity: High Authenticity: Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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