Corio Villa
Corio Villa, Geelong, Austalia
My own photography from a trip to Geelong with my magic added.
A single-storey prefabricated iron house designed by Bell & Miller, architects and engineers, manufactured in Edinburgh, Scotland by Charles D. Young & Co. and assembled in Australia by Alfred Douglass in 1856.
Soon after its production and shipping to Geelong the factory and all the moulds were destroyed by fire, thus ensuring ‘Corio Villa’s’ uniqueness
in Australia.
The crates arrived at the Cunningham pier, Geelong in 1855 with apparently no indication of a name of the consignee. Later it was discovered that William Nairn Gray, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Portland district had originally ordered the house, but had died before the crates arrived unclaimed.
Alfred Douglas, who had a successful wool washing business in Geelong purchased the relics from the Port Authority for a small sum.
The heavy cast iron pieces were hauled up the Eastern Beach hill and assembled on its present site overlooking Corio Bay.
The walls are prefabricated from ½” cast iron boiler plate. The sheets 3’ X 3’ were then bolted together to form wall sections complete with window openings. Internal linings are of lath and plaster. Sashes are solid cast iron which slide into wall cavities. Verandah posts and porch supports are cast in the most delicate filigree patterns.
Most of the decorative work echoes the pattern of the rose, and the thistle of Scotland. There are classic vases of delightful proportions which serve as decorative flower pots on the sun porches and about the house. The lion’s head motif is repeated as a “keystone” to each arch
in verandahs and porches and strikes a note of kingly grandeur.
Barge boards are likewise of cast iron delicately patterned in fretwork.
The overall composition is formal yet delicate, comprising a main entrance porch leading into a hall on either side of which are gabled roofed parallel wings flanked by filigree verandahs.
Overall, the craftsmanship is of a remarkably high standard. Historically ‘Corio Villa’ is of considerable interest, it is an increasingly rare example of a Victorian gold rush era.
Architecturally its significance is incalculable as ‘Corio Villa’ is by far the most ornate and splendid prefabricated house in Australia and possibly the world
Corio Villa belongs to the following groups:
Complex Simplicity of Art, Altered by Design (3 per day), Art Inspired by Dreams, Australian Landmarks and Icons, Graphic Editing 101, PixElations - The Art of Photoshop and Spiritual Art Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
Shanina Conway
Beautiful treatment Cliff, there are some amazing old homes in Geelong;)
hilarydougill
glorious. hugs
hilarydougill
love this. hugs
Keith Reesor
Love the added magic Cliff. The added “history” is very intriguing.
Alessia Ghisi ...
Great shot and… incredible place.
Shannon Donovan
Wow! This is so freakin’ amazing!
RavenSoul
Just a wonderful image with a nostalgic feel to it.
Racheli
Nostalgics are endless. great imagery Cliff,
Thanks for the interesting story.
Steven Agius
Fantastic work !
Aurora Pintore
VERY BEAUTIFUL CLIFF
Helen Chierego
If only all ‘prefab’s’ were so beautiful and decorative! Thank you for the history on this house. As a child I swan at Eastern Beach every summer and always wanted to live in one of those houses overlooking Corio Bay. Cheers Helen
frankc
Great work + fascinating history…!
AndyGii
Great shot Cliff Love the touch with the little girl strolling past
Karin Taylor
aw wonderful
matt ucar
beatiful!
Nicole Goggins
lovely
midzing
brilliant image,,, love the history,,, well done
nannamanson
Man, I do love my victorian. Thanks for the history of the beautiful house also. This is a beautiful shot.
Ted Byrne
So that’s what Australians call a double-wide, eh? They are different here in the States :) Powerful treatment Cliff. I am startled a hair though that there is not more foliage and/or landscaping. While it leaves the house bare, you’ve fully exploited its absence.
jlynn
Fantastic image and treatment!! Love it!!
Kerry Duffy
A stunning image!!
Yamile Yemoonyah
Very beautiful and with a very interesting story
Lisa Kenny
This is briliant Cliff… love what you’ve done with it
Sarah McKoy
Beautifully done. It reminds me of little red riding hood.
Hans Kawitzki
Magnificant building and brilliant job,when have you been in Geelong ?? looks like they have changed the entrance gate ? have not been there for ages.
Cliff Vestergaard
I was there two months ago .
Hans Kawitzki
Pity,next time come in and say hello
AARDVARK
Top stuff Cliff.
Hollie Nass
I love the feel of this! Fantastic work!!
Angel Warda
wow..fantatsic!!! so magical!!!
Robyn Carter
Gorgeous – love geelong too – fascinating place :)
Kathy Nairn
Amazing and beautiful, and so is your work. Thanks for the tidbit of history. Husband is of Scottish descent and would be quite interested in this history as a Nairn. ;)
dieselpete
Beautiful home, great image!
GiGee
Beautiful capture of a Geelong landmark…. growing up we always called this the “Iron House”...still one of the most stunning houses in Geelong.
Monika Howarth
Beautiful image:)
earthangel
Stunning house isn’t it. You have such incredible knowledge of it. More info than I’ve ever managed to find. Thank you for sharing – so interesting
Maryann3 10 days ago
What an interesting, beautiful home. Like the mystery you have added. (Probably a landmark at this point and not a home.)
I had relatives that owned a very nice Sears catalogue house. The prefab homes can be surprisingly nice.