Good day Architecture peeps I hope you have all been well and exploring the wonderful world of Architecture and design. I enjoy reading and viewing your posts. Alot of nations have what we don't have here in Australia and that's a long line of Architectural designs. Most of our buildings were built in 1800s and a significant amount were rip off's of what you have in your respective countries.
This however has provided us with one advantage in the design space. Blank canvas for the worlds top artists and designers back in the day that often drew on multiple styles combining them to create unique pieces of Architecture.
No doubt, in the distant future one day Australia will be recognised for what I'd refer to as Frankenstein Architecture (just coined it) as many of our buildings are mish mash of multiple design concepts rolled into one.
This week I invite you on a tour of the Werribee Mansion located in Melbourne's outter Western suburbs 20kms away from the Melbourne CBD. The history and story of this beautiful building and its love story is just as captivating as its design and architecture.
Two brothers from East Lothian Scotland Thomas and Andrew Chirnside were a farming family whom after travelling around the Australian colonies in the 1800s finally decided to settle in Victoria in 1842. The brothers did exceptionally well in trade and back in those days land was free so long as you could steal it from the Indigenous people. They acquired over 160,000 acres of land throughout Victoria.
Andrew had a wife and 6 children and set about building an elaborate home for them, the best in the world. No expense was spared as it is rumoured that some of the world's best architects of the time worked on the project such as James Gall and James Henry Fox.
The home consists of a style called Italianate a rival style of 16th century renaissance architecture which really came to life in the 19th century. However, the style was first developed by John Nash in 1802, Britain. This style emerged in between regency and Victorian era styles. It was adopted and made famous in the US by Alexander Jackson Davis.
The home itself is created by Bluestone and sandstone in a pyramidal composition featuring renaissance balustrades, loggias and many balconies one that can be walked right around the top floor of the home. It only took 3 years to complete the 60 roomed home consisting of bedrooms, glasshouse, billiard room, main hall, guest quarters as well as home help quarters and many many more storage, wash and wine sellers.
Located on the grounds is a lake and a man made grotto a common feature in expensive architectures sprung up all across Europe for the time. This one encased in stone, surrounded by water and decorated with ceramic tiles would have been created as a place to escape the harshness of the Australian sun. With temperatures well into their 40 degrees Celsius the boys from Scotland would have needed somewhere cool to retreat to.
The carpet's, furniture and paintings were all sourced from Edinburgh and shipped to Australia while Thomas Chirnside was on holiday in England in 1881.
The grounds are surrounded by acres of open space and gardens which have been transformed into a modern day art exhibition with many famous artists erecting pieces of art throughout the grounds.
The love twist that is the tale of what occured and whom the home was built for.
In 1815 Thomas travelled to Scotland where he fell in love with Mary and after attempting multiple courtships to lure her back to Australia she refused and he returned to Australia. But not giving up on his love he tried penning her letters.
Thomas asked his brother Andrew to go to Scotland and convince Mary to come to Australia to be with Thomas. So off to Scotland Andrew went to try and convince the woman of his brothers dreams to return to Australia.
Andrew returned to Australia with Mary but not to be Thomas's wife as she had wed Andrew and Thomas wasn't happy about the arrangement. He'd spent an entire fortune on building a palace for her and thrown all his wealth in luring her to Australia to be his wife only for his brother to have taken her as his.
Andrew, Mary and Thomas remained in the home as it was big enough for everyone to live separately. Many hunting and sporting events as well as military events were held at the Mansion and the family were well known and respected in the area.
Thomas never married or known to have had children of his own and committed suicide in the park in 1887 which Andrew died 3 years later and Mary passing in 1908 as her hair caught fire from a candle.
From 1923 to 1973 the Mansion was provided to the Catholic Seminary who trained clergy and priest. The grounds became too high maintenance and eventually the only purchaser of the site that could restore it and maintain the property was the Victorian Government whom has now opened it up to the general public.
On site is a day spa, hotel, function centre for weddings and events as well as a day spa. The Werribee Mansion hosts music festivals and community events to increase economic and cultural opportunities for the local community and help contribute to the funding of upkeep.
There is a Cafe on site and people are free to explore the grounds, I can't recall if there is a cost to entre as it used to cost $15 but they removed the entry fee so more people could walk the grounds and be more accessible.
As its close to where I live it's a great place to head out with the family for a day out and a picnic and it's absolutely amazing to think about the emence wealth some people in life hold to be able to construct such a home.
There are no lengths some men won't go to when attempting to secure the love of a woman.
I hope you enjoyed this week's post and I'm looking forward to engaging with you all!
The house is massive and amazing, but the story of owners was tragic, the ending was horrible. But things changed with passage of time, that café attracted many people. Also that little girls is too adorable.
Hope you guys are safe and healthy:)
ENGAGEtokens.Haha thank you, yes it's a great place to visit now and just goes to show, you can't trust anyone. Not even your own brother 😱
True! That story was a huge betrayal though.
!ENGAGE 25
The word Frankenstein Architecture stuck with me, haha just kidding. I haven't really encountered the Italianate style a lot, quite unique. That's one tragic story about Andrew, Mary, and Thomas. Interesting to learn the historic love twist of the mansion.
Haha yes, I've actually been reading up abit more on Australian architecture and it appears we have many buildings that are designed and constructed with multiple different styles.
The Werribee Mansion is a good one with a great story behind it. Love that place and go there often with the family.
!ENGAGE 25
ENGAGEtokens.!WINE
I am saddened by how the story ends. You've put all your heart in courting only to find out that she married your brother, it hurts.
And either way she gets the house 🤣 it is a true lovers twist.
Ahaha! That thought never crossed my mind, she gets the house and the man she likes.
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Ah there it is! I been looking for your guys Hive community group wasn't sure what it was called.
Thank you for the support, greatly appreciated
Like @discoveringarni, your coined term of Frankenstein Architecture also caught my attention because of how you've described the mixture of various designs accumulated into one place. Other countries have also been practicing this, and have named it the Eclectic architectural style, for lack of a better phrase...lol 😀
Perhaps I should have done some further research 🤣 amazing what can be achieved with taking a bit from here and putting it there.