Charles Herbert Griffin designed his own home in Towers Street, Ascot in 1934. In October 1915 he was appointed as a draftsman in the office of the Workers Dwelling Board. Charles Herbert or C H Griffin as he was commonly known was another of those inter war architects who in home design had a liking for the English Tudor style. Some of the other Brisbane architects of that era who have left their legacy in English style houses that still stand are Eric P. Trewern, Mervyn Rylance, Blackburn and Gazell, Hennessy and Hennessy and Chambers and Ford.
Born in London in 1879, and having done his training in London before he immigrated to Australia. Charles Herbert was a mature man at 35 years of age when he joined the Queensland Government's Worker's Dwelling Board and would have an input into the drawing of house plans for those distinctly Queensland workers cottages. In 1919 he left the government position to take up a partnership in the architectural firm named Griffin and Chipps. Roy Chipps had trained in Sydney and had a short partnership with Charles Griffin before moving to Rockhampton in 1923.
In 1928 the state government introduced the Architects Act. Architects then had to apply to become registered as qualified practitoners. They had to meet a very strict set of criteria .
Summarized briefly, the qualifications are:
(a) has passed the examination of the Board;
(b) has qualified in an approved Queensland school of architecture;
(c) has completed at least 5 years training, commencing before the date of the
Act, in the office of an architect, government department, local or statutory authority, or approved school, and has at least 2 years’ practical
experience;
(d) has qualified in an approved school outside Queensland and has satisfied
the Board as to his competence to practise, or that Registration under the
Act would entitle a person to practise architecture without further examination in the place where the qualification was obtained;
(e) has before 1.9.1928 practised as an architect in Queensland as a sole or
main source of livelihood;
(f) has completed at least 5 years’ training to the satisfaction of the Board
and who has passed examination by the Board;
(g) has been for 2 years prior to 1.9.1928 a competent teacher of architecture
to the satisfaction of the Board.
Charles Herbert Griffin was in the initital group of Brisbane architects who appiled to and were successful in gaining registration. The following extract from July 1929 lists those who first applied. A number of the names listed are still the names incorporated into or are founding partners of many of 21st century Brisbane architectural firms.
Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Wednesday 17 July 1929, page 5
REGISTRATION OF ARCHITECTS.
Applications for registration as architects from the following have been approved by the Board of Architects:— C. H. Atkinson, J. L. Baldwin, J. R. C. Blanche, A. Bolot, J. C. Cavanangh, J. M. Collin, F. G. Conner, A. H. Conrad, V. Denham. J. P. Donoghue, L. G. Drinan, P. A. Edwards, W. J. Ewart, J. St. C. Ferguson, T. B. F. Gargett, C. H. Griffin, D. F. Cowell-Ham, R. R. Hassall, J. P. Hennessey, R. Hill, P. Hodgson, F. L. Jones, W. J. E. Morrison, A. T. Longland, T. M. W. Wentworth, J. Marshland, M. J. McGlynn, J. P. .T. McHugh, J. C. McKenzie, D. B. McSwaine, M. B. Marley, A. Morry, J. G. Mowbray, J. R O'Sullivan, S. S. Oxenham, D. K. Paine, A. H. Phillips, C. E. Plant, V. Price, G. Rae, S. C. Rookwood, H. J. Scott, W. Shardlow, G. B. Stevenson, R. A. Tillis, K. M. Wilson. J. Woodward, H. N. C. Wyman.
Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Friday 12 November 1926, page 10
4 Harvey Cantilever Awnings for the Valley (Carroll's Corner Building)
MR. H. J. ERB, Contractor, is at present building, under the supervision o£ Mr. C. H. Griffin, architect, four (4) Harvey Cantilever Awnings, on premises at the Corner of Brunswick and McLachlan streets, The Valley. This is concrete evidence of the popularity of Harvey Steel.
Remember if it's of steel, Harvey can build it.
Harvey & Son
"Staunch Service"
Structural Steel Engineers,
Margaret-street, Brisbane.
Telephones, Central 345 and 426.
This building known as Carroll's Corner still stands and has those steel cantilever awnings still in place. One of the attributes of Griffin as an architect like many of that period was their ability to develop a home to suit the Queensland conditions. There are many that argued against the efficiency of the design features of the post war one Queenslander and the Federation style houses of the previous era. In July of 1939 the new suburb of St. Lucia was being spoken about. The following is an extract from the "Modern Home" section of the Sunday Mail. The late 1930 period saw a distinct change in home design. The second world war then came along and post war housing styles changed due to timber and material shortages.
Sunday Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1926 - 1954), Sunday 30 July 1939, page 14
Modern Spirit In New Home
A new suburb being built on virgin country at St. Lucia is unlike any other in Brisbane. It is uncomplicated by old types of building, and the homes built in the last year or two illustrate modern ideas in domestic architecture. Typifying this new spirit in home building is a home in Central Avenue, recently completed on behalf of a client by Mr. C. H. Griffin, architect. Picturesque natural surroundings and dignified neighbouring architecture, with which the plan harmonised easily, were initial advantages. Another was a 100ft. frontage to Central Avenue, which permitted the length of the house being built across the front elevation, thus ensuring that every room would share in the view of a pleasant landscape.
Having been given a free hand, the architect designed a home, which, according to modern lights, is typically Queensland built in brick and having all the breathing spaces necessary in this climate. In exterior design, the house has a quiet dignity. A face brick foundation course rises to floor height. Above that level the brick work is finished in textured plaster, painted cream a colour which reflects the light and summer heat. The solidity of the elevation is broken up by the leadlights of window bays, and by window casements treated in horizontal effect. Variety is also given by pillars flanking the verandah entrance and by gableends which distinguish the roof treatment. A two storied effect is produced at one end of the building, where, above a garage, provision has been made for a loft or garret, which obtains its light through dormers. Variety in architectural line is supported by variety in colour, the red brickwork of the foundations, the large expanses of cream walls, the green with which windows and gutterings are picked out, and the high pitched roof, tiled in flambuoyant red, combining in rich medley of tones.
Charles Herbert Griffin's design of this house is in stark contrast to the 1935 house he designed and had built for himself in Tower Street, Ascot. This new suburban design displayed his ability to progress in architectural thinking.
There are a number of C. B. Griffin homes still standing today. Many have been modernised to add car accomodation and other more modern lifestyle conveniences such as outdoor areas with swimming pools.
There are three that can be seen as testaments to his legacy in Brisbane,
- Lancaster at 78 Lancaster Road
- Ravee at 47 Hazelmere Parade Sherwood
- Balbair at Mackay Street Coorparoo
Harold J Foote was a prominent Brisbane businessman. In 1931 he was one of the directors of the newly established Indooroopilly Toll Bridge Company established with a capital of 75,000 pound. He had Griffin design the home in Hazelmere Parade which is very close to the Walter Taylor Bridge.
Balbair in Cooparoo is another home designed for a prominent Brisbane businessman of the time. This was the home of Henry Roy Hancock a member of the Hancock timber family dynasty. Balbair was built in 1936. My post on Balblair can be found here.
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