House

Statement of Significance

The Residence: 26 Riverview Street has aesthetic and representative cultural heritage significance. Though of simple aesthetic characteristics, this building is one of the better surviving examples of the design abilities of well known architect Marshall Clifton, in the City of South Perth. The remainder of the houses in this district that were designed by this architect have either been extensively altered or extended.

Physical Description

The single storey Residence: 26 Riverview Street is situated on the northern side and towards the eastern end of a cul-de-sac in Riverview Street and is elevated well above street level. The roadway in this cul-de-sac is well below the main floor levels of the houses thereby creating an unusual ambience.
From the street the roof is pitched with gables both sides of the structure and sheeted with bronze coloured Marseilles patterned tiles. The walls are painted in various colours. The joinery is timber framed, with awning hung sashes with larger fixed glazed panels adjoining. This is a typical feature of houses of this era.
Alterations to the flower box are evident. The overall building proportions of the residence, associated with the roof pitch and massing, are quite keenly balanced and carefully considered. The design style though classified as Western Australian Vernacular does have some simple Old English features such as the steeply pitched roof.
The texture and colour of the brickwork in the 1950s was an important part of this architect’s palette in achieving the composition of the wall surfaces. The rougher textures and usually darker colours provided the base, that is the plinth and the flower boxes, while the wall planes were often smoother in texture and colour washed in white or off white. It is possible that this house was so designed but with the multi hue paint scheme and the consequent loss of the relevant textures, the original intention has been debased.

History

The Residence: 26 Riverview Street was one of a number of houses in the Perth region designed by prominent architect Marshall Clifton. Immediately prior to World War II Clifton was influenced by the Spanish Mission and Functionalist styles. However, in Post-War Western Australia, Clifton’s designs were described as ‘Breaking the Rules, a Modern Experiment’. Examples of this architectural style in South Perth include the former ‘Van Der Hook’ house, 18 Coode Street (built 1951, demolished 2001), the ‘Harper’ house, 21 Charles
Street (1955) and this residence, the ‘Brown’ house, at 26 Riverview Street c1957.
The Residence: 26 Riverview Street was designed and built for Cyril Ash Brown. Within the high pitched roof there is said to be a top floor attic which according to a former neighbour to the house, was to be rented out as
a separate flat.

Integrity/Authenticity

Moderate

Condition

Good

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.