State Heritage Residence in Hahndorf.
This State Heritage residence in Hahndorf was originally constructed in the 1840’s, with significant additions constructed in the 1890’s, and again in the 1950’s.
Our design proposed the demolition of both the 1950’s additions, which were very poor quality, as well as the 1890’s additions, which are a lovely Victorian Villa, however the Victorian detailing is contrasting and contradictory to the original German Settlers Cottage, which is what is considered to give Hahndorf its significance.
The Existing Cottage
The existing State Heritage Cottage.
The existing timber Barn - Circa 1840's
The existing timber Barn - Circa 1840's
The existing State Heritage Cottage.
The existing State Heritage Cottage.
The existing State Heritage Cottage.
The existing State Heritage Cottage.
Inside to original cellar.
Inside to original cellar.
Inside an original bedroom.
Inside the original kitchen.
The original kitchen hearth, uncovered.
Some original stone, in great condition.
Inside the roof space.... evidence that someone was living up here....
Some old correspondence found up in the roof space.
Some old correspondence found up in the roof space.
Inside the roof space.... evidence that someone was living up here...
The original ceiling construction..... straw wound around a timber board, and then plastered both sides with a lime plaster.
A later addition. We plan on demolishing this to reveal the original 1840's cottage.
The original wattle and daub ceilings.
The Conservation Works
Detailed Architectural Drawings.
The likely Historical Sequence of Construction
Likely constructed in the early 1840's, this single room with small kitchen may have been constructed just after the timber barn.
Based on historical research and a detailed investigation of the construction methods adopted across the house, it appears two additional rooms and a formal entry foyer were added on sometime in the later 1840's to early 1850's. The timber shingles that formed the original roof cladding remain in good condition today.
Sometime in the 1890's a Victorian addition was constructed that expanded the dwelling with a further two bedrooms. At this time the small 'Black Kitchen' from the original construction appears to have been bricked up and a new kitchen constructed in the orginal living space. The cottage has now become a comfortable three bedroom home with a formal entry, formal living room, and combined kitchen/dining room.
In 2020 we will be stripping back the construction to the original 1840's German Settlers Cottage. The 1890's Victorian Additions, although quite lovely, dominate the original German Settlers Cottage relegating the elements of significance to the background. Demolishing the 1890's addition will now make legible, and therefore celebrate the early German heritage of this area.