Chadwick House

Chadwick House is a two-story residence in Eaglemont featuring half-timbered walls, a Marseilles-patterned tile roof, and two verandas on the east and southeast sides. The building takes advantage of the natural slope by including underground office spaces with direct access to the main living areas.

The architect Harold Desbrowe-Annear designed it in 1904 for his father-in-law James Chadwick on the rural fringe of Melbourne. This early 1900s creation reflects a period when the city was extending into surrounding areas and influencing local building practices.

The Arts and Crafts principles appear throughout the spaces with extensive wood detailing and built-in furnishings that shape how daily life unfolds here. These design choices remain visible and affect how visitors move through and experience the different rooms.

The house sits in a residential area and is best experienced on foot, allowing time to appreciate both verandas and their valley views. The underground spaces are reached through the entry hall, making it easy to understand how the interior layout flows.

The design was ahead of its time with window sashes recessed into walls and a heating system using natural convection to save energy. These early efficiency solutions show the architect was thinking about how to reduce waste well before sustainability became a modern concern.

Location: Victoria

Location: City of Banyule

Inception: 1904

Architects: Harold Desbrowe-Annear

Architectural style: Arts and Crafts movement

Address: 32-34 The Eyrie Eaglemont

GPS coordinates: -37.76590,145.06300

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:05