Features
Kilmarnock House is an outstanding example of Edwardian architecture.
In 1855 the architect Thomas Searell was born near Exeter in England.
During 1865 his parents immigrated to Christchurch, New Zealand.
Searell was articled to Fred Stouts in Christchurch in 1873,
and ten years later he moved to Auckland where he practised for
four years. He arrived in Melbourne in 1887 and set up a practice.
He eventually moved to Hobart to supervise construction on a design,
although the date of his arrival in Launceston is uncertain.
Until World War I, Searell was to design and construct up to seven
buildings along Elphin Road, East Launceston. Kilmarnock house is
located at 66 Elphin Road. It is distinctly Italianate in the
handling of the planning and building mass; the circular corner
tower is echoed by the encircling verandah of delicate timberwork.
"The design is a reduction of the essence of the traditional
Victorian house into a Federation form by creating the balanced
gable form, and thus strong diagonal lines of symmetry, with a visually
powerful sense of movement. No asymmetrical 'picturesque' elements are
allowed to upset the strength of the composition."
Reference: Towards the Dawn, Howells & Nicholson, (1989)
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- Corporate booking discount available.
- Level walk to city.
- Wheelchair access.
- Limited disabled facilities.
- Water safe to drink.
- We welcome children of any age and can provide cots.
- Secure off-street parking.
- No smoking within the house, except for balcony and gardens.
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