26 April 2025

The Labassa Conservatory was probably built around 1890, and features a cast iron structure and roof detailing, with other bits in pressed metal, and a tiled floor, by far the most elaborate late 19thC private freestanding conservatories to survive (there are quite a few attached ones left). It was probably designed by JAB Koch who enlarged the mansion at the same time, but might have been imported – nobody knows for sure ! In fact I think it might be more like 1900. Since the 1920s subdivision of the grounds it’s sat on a tiny narrow block opposite the mansion and used as a very small house. The earliest pic is a b&W from c1972, then some from 2002.

It was semi-abandoned for a while, then in 2010 comprehensively restored by @heritage_alliance, with a new interior and bedroom block behind by @baraccowrightarchitects. It was renovated again in 2019 by @architectureassociates with a longer kitchen wall, frames to hang paintings on, and new high performance glass in the roof. A remarkable survivor, and probably very nice to live in, but I’m annoyed the various articles don’t include good pics of the exterior ! This post was prompted by a review of the 2019 work in the Age today.

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