The Gumnuts

619 Nepean Highway, Frankston

History
W.A. Fowler of Collins Street, Melbourne, was the owner of a number of lots facing on to the Nepean Highway in Section 4, Parish of Frankston, from the early 1920s.1 In 1922 he is recorded in rate books as owner of Lots 46 and 47.2

In that year, architect Walter Burley Griffin designed twin Knitlock holiday houses, which were built on Lots 44& 42.3 Frankston Sewerage Authority Plan shows The Gumnuts situated at the front of that Marnham and The Gumnuts were used as seaside retreats by Griffin and his wife, Marion, (because of their continuing friendship with Fowler?);Gumnuts for Griffin and Marnham for Marion, the two connected by a passage. Griffin was active on the Ranelagh Estate design soon after these cottages were built (c1914). He designed the Lucas Yamala renovation six years later (q.v.).

In 1924 W.A. Fowler was still the owner of both The Gumnuts and Marnham.4 Marnham was demolished by its owner, a Mr. Brew, in 1983.5 A lecturer, Prudence-Jaqualine Evans, owned and occupied the house with Nancy Evans from 1981.6

Description
Like the earlier Onians house (1921), The Gumnuts is based on Griffin's Pholiota Knitlock prototype, where concrete interlocking masonry elements provide the walls,7 but in this case, the Knitlock cement tiles have also been used with standard-pattern cement tile ridge cappings and Griffin's typical splayed timber fascia.8 The original house was 21 feet square, based on a 3'6" module where a central room provided access to eating and sleeping alcoves. Original wall and trim finishes were thought to be unpainted cement and a dark green stain for the woodwork9 but recent samplings indicates an earth/ochre external wall colours.10 The floor was of concrete poured on a layer of charcoal and the sand after the walls were erected.11 Landscape is mature and supportive of the house s construction date.

External Integrity
(As viewed from the street) Generally original, with a presumed rear addition and new Coral-style fence. Window mullions have been changed.12

Context
Unrelated

Significance – Study Grading A
Architecturally, one of the small number of Knitlock Griffin- designed houses left in Australia, particularly those with both the Knitlock wall and roof system. It is the oldest known which has both the wall and rood tile. Griffin was internationally known for his unusual and often innovative designs, both large and small, including the plan for Australia's Capital. Historically, valuable for its use of Knitlock buildings technique: of National and State importance.