Lange Powell House designed by Lange Powell and contructed across the period of 1924 - 25 is still a substantial home. The front faces Eldernell Avenue and the rear faces the west overlooking the houses below. Lange Powell one could argue is among the leading group of architects that have left their mark in Brisbane and Queensland. Residential and commercial buildings were in Lange Powell's portfolio. Many have been demolished but there is still a large number of his work standing. When I walk the Brisbane CBD I still see the Lange Powell stamp. The Masonic Temple in Anne Street, the BAFS building on the corner of George and Turbot streets and the St. Martins Hospital. I have previously posted on the home Eurella thathe designed for his friend Georg Stronach. It stands only some 100 metres away from Powell's own home. A large number of Powell's work has been demolished as they were commercial buildings in the CBD and country towns.
Powell was influenced by the Georgian style and a large number of his buildings that still stand in the CBD of Brisbane will have some of this influence especially around the window design. When designing his onw home in Eldernell Avenue he created his own Georgian mansion.
To read about the life of Rockhampton born Lange Powell and his contribution to Brisbane, Queensland and Australian architecture I have provided links to his Wikipedia reference and his Australian Biography site. These are worth reading because this is a Queenslander who has left a lasting legacy in this state.
https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/powell-lange-leopold-8088
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lange_Powell
Lange Powell House
The following is taken from John W Easts book The Art of Architecture - The Brisbane architect Lange Leopold Powell (1886-1938) and his work
Powell had no time for the Spanish Mission style, which was starting to become popular during these years, and he deplored the fact that Australians were "drifting away from the traditions of English house building."7 He gave ample evidence of his attachment to traditional British house styles in the residence which he designed for himself at 48-50 Eldernell Terrace, Hamilton (1924-25), and in which he lived until his death. It is a textbook example of the Georgian Revival style, and makes one wonder why Powell did not employ this style in his other domestic work. The central core is a two-storeyed, face brick building, with a tiled and hipped roof, ending in bracketed eaves. The symmetrically placed windows are of the classic Georgian twelve-pane, double-hung, sash type, and the central window on the upper floor originally had shutters. The centrally placed doorway has a fanlight, protected by a large label mould. A darker brick was used to create imitation quoins.
The most unusual feature of the house is the addition of two protruding single-storey pavilions, placed symmetrically on either side of the frontage. The southern pavilion housed the kitchen and staff quarters, the northern pavilion was a roofed piazza, which complemented the open living area at the rear of the house. A miniature tiled lych gate in the front fence gives access to the house, via a flagged courtyard which originally had a statue of Aphrodite in the centre.
Internally, the dining room was papered in black with a golden dragon motif, while the drawing room was panelled in pine, painted oyster white. These rooms made an ideal setting for the display of Powell's fine collection of art works and antiques.
When Lange Powell died in 1938 at the age of 52 the newspaper articles were prolific.
Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), Monday 31 October 1938, page 10
LATE MR. L. L. POWELL WAS ARCHITECT OF OUTSTANDING ABILITY
By the death of Mr. Lange L. Powell Brisbane has lost an architect of outstanding ability and a worthy citizen. Mr. Powell designed many of Brisbane's most notable buildings, Including St. Martin's Hospital, where he died, and the Masonic Temple. He took a keen and active interest in all forms of art, and particularly in matters affecting the beautification of the city. Mr. Powell was a son of the late Rev. William Powell, and was born in Rockhampton 52 years ago. He was educated in Brisbane, and was articled to the late Mr. G. H. M. Addison, who was a prominent architect. Later Mr. Powell went to London to continue his studies, and several of his architectural drawings were accepted by the Royal Academy. Returning to Brisbane, Mr. Powell entered into partnership with Mr. C. Chambers, and was associated with the design of many of Brisbane's leading buildings, including Preston House which is now known as Equitable Life Building. Later he started practice on his own, and during this period won the Masonic Temple competition. When he and Messrs. Atkinson and Conrad were appointed joint architects for the Brisbane and South Coast Hospitals Board, a partnership was formed, but this was dissolved after a few years and Mr. Powell and Mr. G. Rae entered into partnership. Subsequently, Mr. Rae started practice on his own, Mr. Powell was president of The Queensland Institute of Architects for several years, and took a leading pari in the formation of The Royal Australian Institute of Architects, of which he also was president for one term. He was a Fellow of the Royal British Institute of Architects and of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, and was a member of the Architects' Registration Board in Queensland In 1932 and 1933. Mr. Powell was an art collector and his home at Eldernell Avenue, Hamilton, contains many art treasures. He is survived by his widow, one son (Dr. Keith Powell) and two daughters Misses Joan and Betty Powell.
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