Historical information

Peter Garner Mud Brick Studio
Victorian Heritage Database Listed
https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/55317

From Shire of Eltham Heritage Study (Bick 1992)
Cultural Significance:
Constructed by Peter Garner when he was just 16 years old, this studio exemplifies the highly creative structures erected in the Shire of Eltham during the I960s and 1970s and the social movement behind them, both of which Eltham is well known for. The Garner studio is one of the two finest small examples of these structures anywhere in the Municipality and is distinguished by the quality of its fittings, also all designed and made by Peter Garner. Sharing the common use of mud brick and second-hand materials, these structures reflect the physical involvement (and individual creativity) of their owners, often, as in Garner' s case, through building the building and making all of its fittings and artworks. The tree branch framed spiral stair and wrought metalwork are particularly fine.

History:
Arthur F. Munday who was associated with the Montsalvat Artists' Colony, subdivided a property bounded by Maria Street (now Main Road) and Brougham Street in 1964. The largest portion, three acres of land facing Brougham Street in Lot 2, was sold to Leslie and Lenore Garner. A sketch in Lodge Plan 65141 drawn at the time of the subdivision showed that the southern part of the land was subject to flooding. By 1967 a brick house with an iron roof and outbuildings had been constructed for the Garners and Peter Garner's separate studio followed in 1969.

DESCRIPTION:
Studio
Style Eltham style.
Design unique.
Plan rectangular; living room occupies northern two thirds, with kitchen in remainder and bedroom on top of the kitchen. A store adjoins the kitchen.
Single storey with attic bedroom; living room has a cathedral ceiling. Walls adobe (solid single skin mud brick), bluestone chimney.
Roof gabled with eaves, corrugated iron clad. Features are the modest size, living room into which the front door opens directly, exposed mud brick walls internally, fireplace, most unusual spiral stair and small gallery off the bedroom, herringbone brick floor, log faced internal doorway that separates kitchen and living room, timber lined ceiling, exposed truss, the various second-hand windows and their placement and the outbuilding. Also the kitchen doorway, adzed table and benches, fireplace high relief metal panel and other art works are features and all were presumably made by Peter Garner, following the ethic of the time.

The present owner has advised (4 May 2025) the spiral staircase was removed prior to their taking possession of the property.

Physical description

Colour print contained in TOMMY green vinyl self adhesive photo album, 30 x 26 x 2.5 cm
Digital scan file only