Turrawan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Turrawan |
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Front of the building in 2015
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| Location | 8 London Road, Clayfield, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1906 - |
| Architect | Robin Dods |
| Architectural style(s) | Arts & Crafts |
| Official name: Clayfield House, Turrawan, Turrawan Private Hospital | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 24 September 2004 |
| Reference no. | 602452 |
| Significant period | 1906 (fabric, historical) |
| Significant components | steps/stairway, wall/s, garden/grounds, residential accommodation - main house |
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Turrawan is a special old house in Clayfield, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It was designed by a famous architect named Robin Dods and built in 1906. This house is so important that it's listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. It has also been known as Turrawan Private Hospital and Clayfield House over the years.
Contents
History of Turrawan House
Turrawan was built in 1906 for Dr. Arthur Charles Frederick Halford. It was designed by the well-known architect Robin Dods. The house was planned to be both Dr. Halford's home and his medical office.
Who Was Robin Dods?
Robert Smith (Robin) Dods (1868-1920) was an important architect. He was born in New Zealand but moved to Brisbane as a child. Later, he went to Scotland to study architecture. He also worked in London for famous architects.
Dods was part of the Arts and Crafts movement. This movement believed in creating beautiful, well-made buildings. They often used local materials and traditional designs. Dods wanted to create new architecture that fit Queensland's style and climate.
In 1896, Dods started a company called Hall and Dods in Brisbane. He was the main designer, and his partner, Francis Hall, handled the business side. Their company became very influential. They designed many different types of buildings. Dods was known for mixing modern British ideas with Queensland's traditional house styles. He made practical and attractive homes that were copied by many others.
Turrawan's Early Years
In 1905, Dr. Halford bought the land for Turrawan. Construction began in 1905 and finished in 1906. It cost about £1382. The house was built to face Sandgate Road. The family's entrance was from Sandgate Road, and the doctor's office had its own entrance from London Road. There were even tennis courts behind the house.
It was common for doctors back then to have their offices at home. Some houses even became small private hospitals, especially for new mothers. Dr. Halford was an obstetrician, a doctor who helps with childbirth. Robin Dods had designed other doctor's homes, so he knew this type of building well.
Dr. Halford lived and worked at Turrawan until about 1920. Later, other doctors also used the house.
Changes to the House and Land
Over time, the land around Turrawan changed. In 1935, some of the land, including part of the tennis court, was sold. At some point, the house itself was turned around. It was rotated on its site to face London Road instead of Sandgate Road. This meant it also took up part of its old tennis court.
In 1946, the property was sold to a company called Savoy Pictures. Later, in 1960, the land was divided into two parts. A service station was built on one part of the land in 1961. This service station closed in the 1980s and is now a garden nursery.
In 1988, the current owner bought Turrawan. Since then, it has been used as "Clayfield House," which provides supported living for people.
Some small changes have been made to the house. A bathroom was added at the back. Some inside walls have been moved or changed. The original chimneys are gone, probably when the house was rotated. However, a special corner fireplace is still in the old dining room.
What Turrawan Looks Like
Turrawan is built on a sloping block of land. It stands on tall concrete stumps at one end. There's also a brick wall along London Road. It's a single-story timber building. It has a steep, hipped roof covered with corrugated iron, which was a common style for Robin Dods.
Outside Features
The house has two parts that stick out towards London Road. The part on the eastern side has the main entrance, which used to be the private family entrance. You reach it by walking up some shallow steps to a porch. The porch is made of strong timber beams in the Arts and Crafts style. You can see a special phrase carved into a beam above the entrance: "EAST WEST ?? HAME'S BEST."
The middle part of the front of the house has a verandah. This verandah is now enclosed, but you can still see the original railings inside. On the western end, another part of the house sticks out. The eastern side of the house also has an enclosed verandah. You can still see where the separate entrance for the doctor's office used to be, even though the steps are gone. The verandah has simple but elegant timber decorations and railings, typical of Dods' designs.
Inside Features
Inside, the walls are covered with vertical timber boards. The floors and ceilings are also made of timber. The woodwork is very detailed. You'll find built-in cupboards, windows with many small glass panes, and French windows that open onto the verandah. There's also a special bay window and a sash window that you can walk through to get to the verandah.
Even though some inside walls have been removed or added, and rooms have been built into the verandah, the house still looks much like it did originally. You can still see how the house was planned to separate the living areas from the doctor's office. Most rooms are still in their original condition.
Why Turrawan is a Heritage Site
Turrawan was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 24 September 2004. This means it's considered very important to Queensland's history and culture.
Historical Importance
Turrawan is important because it shows how Queensland's architecture developed. It's a great example of a house designed by the famous Hall & Dods company in 1906.
Unique Design
This house is special because it was one of the first homes designed specifically as a doctor's office and residence. It's also a rare example of Robin Dods' house designs. He designed many houses, but not many of this size and quality are still around. Even with some changes, the house still has much of its original layout and details, showing Dods' unique style.
Demonstrating Key Features
Turrawan is in an area with many beautiful homes, including others by Dods. It shows how Clayfield became a fancy residential area. As a house that was both a home and a doctor's office, and later a private hospital, it also shows how medical practices changed in Brisbane. The house's design, with separate entrances and rooms for the office and living areas, clearly shows its original purpose.
Aesthetic Value
Turrawan is a beautiful and well-designed house. It's important because it's linked to the life and work of Robin Dods. He was an innovative and influential architect who greatly helped shape house design in Queensland.
Association with Robin Dods
Robin Dods is famous for bringing new architectural ideas from the United Kingdom to Queensland. He combined these ideas with traditional Queensland styles and materials. His designs later influenced architecture all over Australia.
