House

12 Monaghan Avenue, Karori, Wellington
❰ ❱
Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015
Image: WCC - Charles Collins, 2015
Cityview GIS 2013
Cityview GIS 2013
Map

  • Constructed

    1936

  • Architect(s)

    George Hardie-Burt

  • Builder(s)

    Ernest King

  • The house is a charming architectural essay on the aesthetics of modernism in the 1930s.  The building reflects the cubism of the Modern Movement (International Modernism) with its simple geometry and apparent functionalism, yet, it retains some of the trappings of the Moderne of the 1920s and 30s with its characteristic decorative features.  It is a building in transition not yet ready to shed all vestiges of decoration but nevertheless of some architectural significance.

    The house remains in close to original condition and is an important example of progressive architecture of the period.

    This house has some local value for its association with the Monaghan family.  It remains evidence of the influence and importance of this family in Karori history.  The house also derives some of its historic significance from its association with Sir Richard Bolt who rose to the rank of Chief of Defence Staff before retiring in 1980.

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  • close History

    • This house was built in 1936 for Dr Patrick Monaghan, one of the grandsons of early settler Major Patrick Monaghan, who began a substantial Karori dynasty. The house was constructed on land that was originally part of the family farm. The land – a selection of sections on the western side of the newly created street – was subdivided in 1930.

      The house was designed by architect G.H. Burt and built by contractor Ernest King at a cost of £1175. In 1941 a sunroom was added to the house. The house was said to have been built for one of Monaghan’s daughters – one of the three houses he had built for his offspring – but no evidence to support this has been found in the case of this house. It is possible that the first occupier listed, Arthur Wright, was somehow connected to one of Monaghan’s daughters. Monaghan owned the house until 1958, when he sold it to William Machin, a radio dealer, and his wife Phyllis. They had already been living in the house, from 1950.

      They remained the occupants until 1968 until they sold the house to Group Captain Richard Bolt of the RNZAF and his wife June. Richard Bolt was later Chief of Air Staff and then Chief of Defence Staff until retirement in 1980. He rose to the rank of Air Vice Marshal and was knighted just before his retirement. After the death of his wife in 1984 Bolt retained ownership of the house for a further three years. The house was bought by James and Jeanine Winton in 1987. Two years later they sold the property to David McLean and Julienne Brown, who in turn sold the house to Anita Hyatt and Quentin Lowcay in 1996.

      Much of the house’s heritage value comes from its architecture. The house is a charming architectural essay on the aesthetics of modernism in the 1930s. The building reflects the cubism of the Modern Movement (International Modernism) with its simple geometry and apparent functionalism. Yet, it retains some of the trappings of the Moderne of the 1920s and 30s with its characteristic decorative features. It is, therefore, a building in transition – not yet ready to shed all vestiges of decoration but nevertheless of some architectural significance. It has been argued that this transitional approach reflected the antipodean concern of that period with the aesthetics of architecture rather than the more fundamental concern, as in Europe, with the pursuit of a ‘brave new world’. The house remains in close to original condition and is an important example of progressive architecture of the period.

      The house also has the historical connection to the Monaghans, an important Karori farming family for whom the street on which the house is situated is named for. It is also historically associated with Sir Richard Bolt, who rose to the rank of Chief of Defence Staff.

    • Modifications close
      • 1936
      • 00056:177:B15566; 12 Monaghan Avenue, dwelling and garage
      • 1941
      • 00056:261:B21334; 12 Monaghan Avenue, sunroom
      • 1974
      • 00058:944:C41520; 12 Monaghan Avenue, dwelling additions and alterations
      • 1988
      • 00059:215:D10076; 12 Monaghan Avenue, carport and fence
      • 1996
      • 00078:1049:24588; 12 Monaghan Avenue, kitchen refurbishment
    • Occupation History close
      • 1936 - 1950
      • Arthur Wright
      • 1950 - 1968
      • William and Phyllis Machin
      • 1968 - 1987
      • Sir Richard and Lady June Bolt Sir Richard and Lady June Bolt (d. 1984)
  • close Architectural Information
    • Building Classification(s) close

      Not assessed

    • Architecture close

      This house is cuboid in shape. The stepped and staggered horizontal parapetted roofline (hiding a gently sloping roof) emphasises the strict geometry. Constructed in light timber frame with a stucco-rendered exterior, the house contains compact living spaces. The ground floor consists of living and dining room and kitchen while the first floor contains three bedrooms and bathroom.

      Decoratively, the house owes much to the Moderne style with a horizontal emphasis expressed through grooved relief, articulation of window mullion detailing and horizontal fluting. The simple rectangular windows and post and lintel entry porch emphasise the style further. The angled cantilevered window on the principal frontage seems consistent with the style yet appears almost as an extravagance. The house is in good condition and retains its authenticity and integrity.

      Interior not inspected.

    • Materials close

      Cement render over timber

    • Setting close

      Monaghan Avenue is near the centre of Karori. On a handsome, affluent, green suburban street, the house at number 12 maintains its privacy behind a tall hedge. The house is set back from the road, with the front section mostly concreted, while the rear of the section shares it boundary with St Teresa’s School. The Moderne style of the house stands in contrast to the rest of Monaghan Avenue; most houses are Georgian in style with weatherboard construction. Though the foliage keeps the house obscured from the street, it does add visual and stylistic interest to the area.

  • close Cultural Value

    The house is a charming architectural essay on the aesthetics of modernism in the 1930s. The building reflects the cubism of the Modern Movement (International Modernism) with its simple geometry and apparent functionalism, yet, it retains some of the trappings of the Moderne of the 1920s and 30s with its characteristic decorative features. It is a building in transition not yet ready to shed all vestiges of decoration but nevertheless of some architectural significance.

    The house remains in close to original condition and is an important example of progressive architecture of the period.

    This house has some local value for its association with the Monaghan family. It remains evidence of the influence and importance of this family in Karori history. The house also derives some of its historic significance from its association with Sir Richard Bolt who rose to the rank of Chief of Defence Staff before retiring in 1980.

    • Aesthetic Value close

      • Architectural

        Does the item have architectural or artistic value for characteristics that may include its design, style, era, form, scale, materials, colour, texture, patina of age, quality of space, craftsmanship, smells, and sounds?

        The house is a charming architectural essay on the aesthetics of modernism in the 1930s. The building reflects the cubism of the Modern Movement (International Modernism) with its simple geometry and apparent functionalism, yet it retains some of the trappings of the Moderne of the 1920s and 30s with its characteristic decorative features. It is, therefore, a building in transition, not yet ready to shed all vestiges of decoration, but nevertheless of some architectural significance. The house remains in close to original condition and is an important example of progressive architecture of the period.

      • Townscape

        Does the item have townscape value for the part it plays in defining a space or street; providing visual interest; its role as a landmark; or the contribution it makes to the character and sense of place of Wellington?

        The house provides some visual interest to the area, but the effect is diminished due to the tall hedge obscuring the street’s view of the house.

    • Historic Value close

      • Association

        Is the item associated with an important person, group, or organisation?

        This house does have some local value for its association with the Monaghan family. It remains evidence of the influence and importance of this family in Karori history. The house also derives some of its historic significance from its association with Sir Richard Bolt who rose to the rank of Chief of Defence Staff before retiring in 1980.

    • Scientific Value close

      • Archaeological

        Does the item have archaeological value for its ability to provide scientific information about past human activity?

        Risk unknown.

    • Social Value close

      • Identity/Sense of place/Continuity

        Is the item a focus of community, regional, or national identity? Does the item contribute to sense of place or continuity?

        The house contributes to a sense of continuity, helping mark the arrival of modernism in Karori.

    • Level of Cultural Heritage Significance close

      • Authentic

        Does the item have authenticity or integrity because it retains significant fabric from the time of its construction or from later periods when important additions or modifications were carried out?

        The house has retained a high level of authenticity, remaining close to original condition.

      • Importance

        Is the item important for any of the above characteristics at a local, regional, national, or international level?

        The house is important on a local level.

    • Local / Regional / National / International Importance close

      Not assessed

  • close Site Detail

    • District Plan Number

      11/ 391

    • Legal Description

      Lot 28 DP 9984

    • Heritage New Zealand Listed

      Not listed

    • Archaeological Site

      Risk unknown

    • Current Uses

      unknown

    • Former Uses

      unknown

    • Has building been funded

      No

    • Funding Amount

      Not applicable

    • Earthquake Prone Status

      Outside Earthquake Prone Policy

  • close Additional Information
    • Sources close
      • Irving-Smith, F.L. The Streets of My City. Wellington: A. H. & A.W. Reed, 1949
      • Kelly, Michael and DK. Notes on 12 Monaghan Avenue, August 2001, Council files
      • CT 421/21 and CT 490/61, Land Information New Zealand
      • Wellington City Archive 00056:177:B15566; 00056:261:B21334; 00058:944:C41520; 00059:215:D10076; 00078:1049:24588
      • WCC Building Permit, C41520
      • WCC Building Permit, B15566, Wellington City Archives
      • Wises Post Office Directory, 1937-1949
    • Technical Documentation close
    • Footnotes close

      Not available

Last updated: 11/23/2016 10:54:25 PM