Progress Road between Ryans Road and Lower Road, Eltham North; prior to realignment and construction, 1976Kodak Safety Film 120 format 6 x 6 cm black and white negative; 3 strips, 12 frames Also 30 x 25 cm black and white print of this image frameeltham north, progress road, road construction, ryans road

Built in 1953, the Rice House was leading Melbourne architect Kevin Borland's first commssion and was one of two houses of its kind. The design of the shell-like structure was inspired by the Arch of Ctesiphon, built in the second century south of Baghdad. Cement with a waterproofing agent was applied in layers to a form of regularly spaced timber arches covered in hessian. This ctesiphon system was developed in the United Kingdom by engineer J.H. de Waller in 1947. Commissioned in 1951 by Harrie and Lorna Rice, after Harrie, then an art student, met Borland at The Age Small Homes Service. Borland suggested they buy land in Eltham because at that time it was the only council in Melbourne that would grant a permit for such an innovative house. Covered under Victorian Heritage. Published: Nillumbik Now and Then /​ Marguerite Marshall 2008; photographs Alan King with Marguerite Marshall.; p157 Inspired by an ancient arch in Iraq, a house stands on top of a hill in a private position, off Ryans Road, Eltham. One of only two houses of its kind, it was leading Melbourne architect Kevin Borland’s first commissioned house, which he built in 1953. The shell-like structure, partially screened by giant trees and cacti, was inspired by the Arch of Ctesiphon south of Baghdad, built in the second century.1 Cement with a waterproofing agent was applied in layers to a form of regularly spaced timber arches tightly covered by hessian. This ctesiphon system was developed in the United Kingdom by engineer J H de Waller in 1947. This house was the first of three such structures built in Victoria, of which only one other remains, although substantially altered.2 It is the Wood House and supermarket, at the corner of Cleveland Road and High Street Road, Ashwood, designed by Robin Boyd in 1952. The Rice House demonstrates Kevin Borland’s innovative and experimental work. It is an outstanding example of the post-war period of experimentation in domestic architecture in Melbourne – by Robin Boyd, Kevin Borland and others – for The Age Small Homes Service from 1947 to 1953. This was partly an expression of late-Modernism and also necessitated by the post-war shortage of building materials. In Eltham, the post-war shortage of building materials largely resulted in mud-brick houses. Examples of Borland’s public work include contributions to the Olympic Swimming Pool in Melbourne and the Preshil Junior School in Kew. After more than 50 years of living in the house, Harrie and Lorna Rice still love it. Facing north-east with large windows overlooking the garden and two courtyards, it is well lit and benefits from a through breeze. The couple commissioned the extraordinary house after Harrie, then an art student, met Borland in 1951 at The Age Small Homes Service. Harrie was so impressed by the recently graduated Borland’s enthusiasm, that he asked him to design them an interesting house for a low budget.3 The unusual design presented several hurdles for the young couple before they could construct it. Borland suggested that they buy land in Eltham, because at that time it had the only council in Melbourne that would allow such an innovative house. Another hurdle was to gain finance for this remarkable house. The State Savings Bank Manager refused finance on the grounds that it was ‘unliveable’ and a ‘disgrace’. Fortunately, through a family connection, the couple borrowed money from the National Bank. But they discovered years later, that the bank’s evaluation stated the two ‘concrete sheds’ were of no value!4 The house built in off-white concrete, consists of two sections. The main house has four arches supported by brick and concrete walls that create a series of inter-connected rooms. Inside, the ceiling follows the roofline. Originally this section was only ten square metres, because of building restrictions at the time. But in 1973 Borland added two rooms and a carport. The second structure of two arches was originally a garage and a studio for art teacher Harrie Rice. To accommodate the growing family, in the mid 1950s, Borland converted the second structure into two children’s bedrooms, a kitchenette, a bathroom and a living room. The two structures were originally linked by a covered way of suspended draped-concrete, but this collapsed in the 1980s. The design has several maintenance problems. Cracks developed where two halves of the shells were joined. Then the material sprayed over the cracks became brittle, causing leaks. Fortunately Harrie found another material he could use. The valleys between the arches collect water, requiring annual painting with a waterproof material to prevent leaking. Lorna framed the house with native and exotic plants, which provide privacy and as a bonus, the garden attracted the rare Eltham Copper Butterfly.This collection of almost 130 photos about places and people within the Shire of Nillumbik, an urban and rural municipality in Melbourne's north, contributes to an understanding of the history of the Shire. Published in 2008 immediately prior to the Black Saturday bushfires of February 7, 2009, it documents sites that were impacted, and in some cases destroyed by the fires. It includes photographs taken especially for the publication, creating a unique time capsule representing the Shire in the early 21st century. It remains the most recent comprehenesive publication devoted to the Shire's history connecting local residents to the past. nillumbik now and then (marshall-king) collection, eltham, rice house, ryans road

Ryans Road was reconstructed and sealed to the north of Kerrie Crescent in 1983. Roundabout and southern reconstruction added later. This photo is probably shortly after construction of roundabout.35mm colour positive transparency Mount - Black and Whiteeltham, infrastructure, kerrie crescent, roundabout, ryans roads

Ryans Road was reconstructed and sealed to the north of Kerrie Crescent in 1983. Roundabout and southern reconstruction added later. This photo is probably shortly after construction of roundabout.35mm colour positive transparency Mount - Black and Whiteeltham, infrastructure, ryans roads, burd street, meruka drive

35mm colour positive transparency (1 of 36) Mount - Agfa CS System grey 8 dotsroads, eltham, ryans road

35mm colour positive transparency Mount - Black and Whiteinfrastructure, roads, eltham north, ryans road

Gordon Ford landscape design at entrance to Nerreman Gateway.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 strips Fuji 100eltham, gordon ford, nerreman gateway, nerreman park estate, ryans road, streets

Gordon Ford landscape design at entrance to Nerreman Gateway.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 strips Fuji 100eltham, gordon ford, nerreman gateway, nerreman park estate, ryans road, streets

Gordon Ford landscape design at entrance to Nerreman Gateway.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 strips Fuji 100eltham, gordon ford, nerreman gateway, nerreman park estate, ryans road,streets

Gordon Ford landscape design at entrance to Nerreman Gateway.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 strips Fuji 100eltham, gordon ford, nerreman gateway, nerreman park estate, ryans road,streets

Gordon Ford landscape design at entrance to Nerreman Gateway.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 strips Fuji 100eltham, gordon ford, nerreman gateway, nerreman park estate, ryans road,streets

Gordon Ford landscape design at entrance to Nerreman Gateway.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 strips Fuji 100eltham, gordon ford, nerreman gateway, nerreman park estate, ryans road,streets

Gordon Ford landscape design at entrance to Nerreman Gateway.Roll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 strips Fuji 100eltham, gordon ford, nerreman gateway, nerreman park estate, ryans road,streets

From a collection of 35 photos taken by Doug Orford at 35 specific locations along the exact boundary of the then Shire of Eltham.Colour photographeltham, ryans road

Oil on canvas. Painted at Art Historian, Bernard Smith's dam beside Karingal Drive in Eltham, Victoria. Rich, green shrubs and eucalyptus trees surround the water, reeds grow in the dam. The surrounding landscape is reflected in the water. Sloping land and bush fill the background.

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album believed to have been donated by Mr Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage.Colour photographkangaroo ground store

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album believed to have been donated by Mr Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage.Colour photographeltham north, eltham north primary school, glen park road

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album believed to have been donated by Mr Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage.Two colour photographseltham north primary school

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album believed to have been donated by Mr Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage.Colour photographironbark road, collins lane, yarrambat

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album believed to have been donated by Mr Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage.Three colour photographshurstbridge, picnic, shire of eltham, fergusons paddock

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album believed to have been donated by Mr Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage.Two colour photographstemplestowe, westerfolds park, yarra river

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album believed to have been donated by Mr Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage.Four colour photographswhittlesea show

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album believed to have been donated by Mr Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage.Three colour photographswhittlesea show

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album believed to have been donated by Mr Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage.Colour photographwhittlesea show

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album believed to have been donated by Mr Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage.Colour photographwhittlesea show, cobb and co

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album believed to have been donated by Mr Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage.Colour photographwhittlesea show, steam roller

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album believed to have been donated by Mr Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage.Two colour photographseltham park

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album believed to have been donated by Mr Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage.Nine colour photographsgreat yarra raft race, rafting, templestowe, westerfolds park, yarra river

Originally contained in a 'magnetic' photo album believed to have been donated by Mr Eric Stephenson, Jingalong, 110 Ryans Road, Eltham, Vic. 3095; relocated to archival safe storage.Seven colour photographscars, rolls royce and bentley club, sugarloaf