26 April 2025

The Labassa Conservatory 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 probably dates from c1890 when the gardens were greatly expanded and the mansion as well into what we see today, designed by JAB Koch. He probably designed the conservatory too, but it might have been imported.

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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