House

50 Nepean Highway, Seaford

History
At the beginning of the 1940s Irene E. Walker owned Lot 11 and part of Lot 10 of Crown Allotment 2 Section A, which had a rate value (NAV) of £11.1 In 1942 Walker had a residence built on the property, causing the value to rise to £64.2 Irene Walker owned and occupied the property until she died in 1973.3

Description
Designed in the European Modernist tradition of flat roofs, differing rectangular forms stacked one upon the other, and fenestration which was either a slot or slit, this stuccoed two – storey house also had portholes, metal windows frames and corner windows, leaving the slab-like roof above almost floating for want of structural support. The design resembles those of architects, Seabrook and Fildes or the Kings, in its minority pursuit of the pure Modernist tradition, European Style, such as Rietveld, de Stijl, Dudok and Mendelsohn, contrasting with the emerging local Modern movement such as Grounds) which was inspired by America rather than Europe. European examples include Aalto's Helsinki boarding school. Seabrook & Fildes designed the Bank of New South Wales and additions to a timber house in the Nepean Highway, both in 1938.4

External Integrity
What may have been steel-framed windows have been replaces with modern aluminium frames.

Context
Unrelated to its context, except in the adoption of a two –story form this sought the sea view.

Significance – Study Grading B
Architecturally, this building is part of a small group of designs which adapted the European Modern style faithfully from its source: of regional importance.

Historically, perhaps one of the design milestones (including the Grounds at Ranelagh) which helped create Frankston's role as the main seaside-suburban vehicle for Modernist design in Melbourne.