Ruskin Rowe Heritage Conservation Area

Item details


Name of item:	Ruskin Rowe Heritage Conservation Area
Type of item:	Conservation Area
Group/Collection:	Residential buildings (private)
Category:	House
Primary address:	Ruskin Rowe, Avalon Beach, NSW 2107
Parish:	Narrabeen
County:	Cumberland
Local govt. area:	Northern Beaches

Boundary:

See images for map

All addresses

Street Address	Suburb/town	LGA	Parish	County	Type
Ruskin Rowe	Avalon Beach	Northern Beaches	Narrabeen	Cumberland	Primary Address

Statement of significance:


	The Ruskin Rowe Heritage Conservation Area is significant in the evolution and pattern of the history of New South Wales for its design principles and patterns that are still clearly legible. The street is named after Harry Ruskin Rowe, a prominent Sydney architect who subdivided the area in 1950. Rowe's vision was to create a special subdivision with large lots in which vegetation would dominate over houses. This area represents the most "pure" example of the character of residential developments which were occurring in the Avalon area after WWII. Ruskin Rowe has research potential for its innovative subdivision design and is also scientifically significant due to the low density nature of the area and the retention of a wide range of fauna, including koalas, bandicoots and native birds.
	Date significance updated: 09 Jan 15
	Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the OEH copyright and disclaimer.

Description


Designer/Maker:	Harry Ruskin Rowe
Construction years:	1950-
Physical description:	The first section of Ruskin Rowe runs southwest from Avalon Parade to Elouera Road, then continues for a short distance west before curving again to the southwest and continuing in that direction, terminating in a loop at its southern end. The original subdivision lots are arranged on either side of this central thoroughfare and are long rectangular parcels with houses set well back from the street with a mix of sweeping lawns, remnant native trees and in many cases dense landscaping. The relatively few lots subdivided since 1950 are battleaxe subdivisions of some of the earlier lots.
Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential:	Varies but most properties within area appear well maintained.
	Date condition updated:18 Feb 13


Current use:	Residential

History

Historical notes:

The area was subdivided in 1950 by Harry Ruskin Rowe, a prominent Sydney architect of the early 20th century. His vision was to create a special subdivision, with very large size lots to enable the vegetation to dominate over the houses.

To ensure that his original intent was realised, he placed a number of restrictive covenants on the 43 lots, to ensure that no more than one residential dwelling could be built on each lot. The area is relatively intact, with only five additional lots being created over 44 years.

There were a number of submarine sightings during World War II in Pittwater and barbed wire was placed along every beach except Newport. The Green Hornets of the 7th Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps camped in Warriewood Valley during this period and Mona Vale, south of La Corniche, was a camp for trainee machine gunners. Ruskin Rowe at Avalon hosted the Sundown RAAF Camp, who were trained by Nancy Bird Walton. The building was demolished to build home units after 1953 (Source: Pittwater Online News, June 19 - 25, 2011, Issue 11).

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)	New South Wales theme	Local theme
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies	Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings	(none)-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities.	(none)-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities	Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages	(none)-

Assessment of significance


SHR Criteria a) [Historical significance]	Ruskin Rowe is significant in the evolution and pattern of the history of New South Wales for its design principles and patterns that are still clearly legible. Ruskin Rowe is significant in the evolution and pattern of the history of New South Wales as an example of forward-thinking subdivision design in the mid-20th Century.
SHR Criteria b) [Associative significance]	The area has strong associations with Harry Ruskin Rowe, a prominent Sydney architect who subdivided the area in 1950 and after whom the subdivision and thoroughfare are named.
SHR Criteria c) [Aesthetic significance]	Rowe's vision was to create a special subdivision with large lots in which vegetation would dominate over houses. This area represents the most "pure" example of the character of residential developments which were occurring in the Avalon area after WWII.
SHR Criteria e) [Research potential]	Ruskin Rowe has research potential as an example of subdivision design. It is also scientifically significant due to the low density nature of the area and the retention of a wide range of fauna, including koalas, bandicoots and native birds.
Integrity/Intactness:	The area is relatively intact, with only five additional lots being created over 44 years.
Assessment criteria:	Items are assessed against the State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Recommended management:


	The area’s character should be retained and conserved. A Heritage Impact Statement should be prior to any major works being undertaken on properties within the Conservation Area. Photographic Archival Recording should be undertaken before major changes in accordance with the NSW Heritage Office guidelines for Photographic Recording of Heritage Items using Film or Digital Capture (2006).

Listings

Heritage Listing	Listing Title	Listing Number	Gazette Date	Gazette Number	Gazette Page
Local Environmental Plan			04 Feb 94
Local Environmental Plan	Pittwater Local Environmental Plan 2014	2270100	27 Jun 14

Study details

Title	Year	Number	Author	Inspected by	Guidelines used
	1989	vol. 3	Barrenjoey Peninsula & Pittwater Heritage Study		No
Pittwater Community Based Heritage Study Review	2015		City Plan Heritage		Yes

References, internet links & images

Type	Author	Year	Title	Internet Links
Written	Jan Roberts	1999	Avalon Landscape & Harmony
Written	Scott Carver Pty Ltd	1994	Heritage Assessment: Ruskin Rowe Avalon

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.

(Click on thumbnail for full size image and image details)

Data source


The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name:	Local Government
Database number:	2270100

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