House 2 Kent Road, Whanganui Register Item Number: 448 Building Type: Residential Commercial Industrial Recreation Institutional Agriculture Other Location: 2 Kent Road, St. John s Hill, Whanganui Heritage NZ Pouhere Taonga List Number: Nil Significance: Archaeological Architectural Historic Scientific Technological Cultural Physical Description: This two storied, stucco house is one of three neighbouring landmark houses to the north end of Kent Road. This house is designed in the Inter-War Functionalist style with characteristic asymmetrical massing, simple geometrical shapes, elongated banding of windows, flat roof concealed by a low parapet, semi-circular wing and a stepped skyline. At the end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth century new architectural movements emerged which explored new materials, processes and forms. This new approach to architecture has been termed "The Modern Movement" which is an all-embracing term for the architecture which emerged in the 1920s, particularly in Germany, and which lasted well into the 1960s. The principal styles in the Modern Movement were the International Style and Functionalism. Architects who designed in the Functionalist style sought an ideal architecture without reference to past styles. Their main principle was that design should be functional above all else and its expression became an aesthetic in itself. Thematic Context Early Settlement Residential Industry Agricultural Commerce Transport Civic/Admin Health Education Religion Recreation Community Memorials Military
Spatial organisation was a key priority concern. The style became popular in Europe and Germany from the 1920s. Archive plans show the house was designed for a Mr Harold Jones and the ground floor has the living room in the semi-circular wing facing Parsons Street with the entry between it and the single storey garage facing Kent Street. The entry hall has the stairs to the first floor and the corridor, which leads past the living room to the dining room and kitchen to the north. The laundry is behind the garage and is accessed from the kitchen and has a separate entry form the garden. The first floor has three bedrooms, a porch and balcony as well as a bathroom and separate toilet. Other known names: Current Use: Dwelling house Former Uses: Dwelling house Heritage Status: District Plan Class: BR Architectural Style: Inter-War Date of Construction: c1938 Functionalist Materials: Painted cement render, timber joinery, flat roof Registered owner: Legal Description: Lot 15 DP 2672 History: This house, sited on the corner of Kent Road and Parsons Street, was designed by architect R.G. Talboys in 1937 1 for Harold St. John Jones, a cycle importer. A Crown mortgage in 1938 probably marks the time of the house s construction. In 1960, Jones wife, Ida Maude Jones (nee Dyer), was added to the property s Certificate of Title (WN456/79). Little was located on this couple, who married in 1914. 2 There is no indication on the Births Deaths & Marriages website (to 1932) that they had any children of their own. Possibly Harold Jones is the man of that name, who was well known in the cycle trade, who was left unconscious in hospital on 25 March 1919 when a motor cycle and sidecar he was travelling in, overturned while rounding a bad 1 Plan A 124, R.G. Talboys Collection of Architectural Specifications Ref: 1805.62.2, Whanganui Regional Museum. Note that these plans were not viewed for this history. There is also a file on the erection of this house (in Parsons St. for Harold Jones Esq.) in the Wanganui District Council file WDC 00183 : 0 : 5 at Archives Central: http://archivescentral.org.nz/wanganui_dc/topics/show/9501-specifications-includeserection-of-a-residence-parsons-st-for-harold-jones-esq-isolation-hospital-for-the-wanganui-hospital-boardvarious-roading-and-pavement-specifications-from-patea-county-council-and-waverley-town-board 2 Marriage Ref: 1914/7569, Ida Maude Dyer and Harold St. John Jones: https://www.bdmonline.dia.govt.nz/
bend near Kaituna, after hitting a lot of loose shingle. The other man on board was killed. 3 In 1976, the duplicate original of the aforementioned Certificate of Title was declared lost, and it was replaced by WN16D/1203. The property was then transmitted to Harold St. John Jones as survivor in 1977. The following year it was transmitted to the Public Trust, indicating that Harold Jones had also died. Thereafter the house changed hands a number of times in fairly quick succession. In early 1979, the property was sold to Bryce Donald Mason, a Dunedin accountant, and his wife Gaylene Jane Mason. Then about five months later it was sold to Graham Baldwin, a public servant, and his wife Elizabeth Christina Baldwin. In late 1981, it was sold to Bruce Donald Campbell, a fish shop proprietor, and his wife Shirley Merle Campbell. The next owners, Graham Ian Collings, a manager, and his wife Maxine Lillian Collings, bought the property in 1986. The following year, Christopher Allen Carrick, a mechanic, and his wife Beth Anne Carrick, a manager, bought the house. Then in 1991, it was sold to Barry Joseph Kidd, an administration manager, and Jo Ann Field, a social worker. The next owners were John Edward Slade-Jones and Noelene Coombs Slade-Jones, who purchased the property in 1995. The present owners, Roger Neale Alan Morrison and Alison Morrison, then purchased the property in 2000. 4 Bibliography Archival sources, newspapers and online articles as referred to in the footnotes. Architect/Designer: R.G. Talboys History of changes: Date Period: 3 Colonist, 26 March 1919, p. 3 4 Certificate of Title, WN 16D/1203 (1976)
Rarity / Special Features: The house is a rare, excellent example of the Inter-War Functionalist style. Integrity: The condition of the place was not inspected. Representativeness: The house has the characteristics of the Inter-War Functionalist style. Context/Group Value: 2, 4 and 6 Parsons Street comprise a group of significant and substantial houses, with 2 and 4 designed in related styles. Diversity (Form and Features): The building has the characteristics of a residential example of the Inter-War Functionalist style. Fragility / Vulnerability: Summary of Significance: Architectural Qualities This house is designed in the Inter-War Functionalist style with characteristic asymmetrical massing, simple geometrical shapes, elongated banding of windows, flat roof concealed by a low parapet, semi-circular wing and a stepped skyline. Historic Qualities The house is associated with local architect R G Talboys who was well recognised for his practise in the city, designing a number of commercial and domestic buildings as well as several memorials. It is also associated with its owner, with Mr H St John Jones, a local businessman for whom the house was built. Technical Qualities The house uses typical materials and construction techniques for the period. Cultural Qualities The house has educational values as an excellent residential example of the Inter-War Functionalist style. Reference Source:
Associated Pictures: Date of Survey: 2012 Prepared by: Ian Bowman and Val Burr