maureen rippon lea estat parth

7/30/2019 Maureen Rippon Lea Estat Parth

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ConservationAnd

Restoration Report

For

Rippon Lea Estate


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Conservation and Restoration Report

For

Maureen Doherty

Prepared by

Inamdar Parth Dakshesh

Date of Submission 28-11-08


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Contents

Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 3Introduction.................................................................................................................................... 5Scope ............................................................................................................................................. 7The Owners of Rippon Lea Estate ............................................................................................ 8Policy Statement............................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.The Architects ............................................................................................................................... 9Review of Restoration: .............................................................................................................. 10Historical Analysis of the site.................................................................................................... 11Statement of significance .......................................................................................................... 12Stakeholder Analysis ................................................................................................................. 13Site Analysis................................................................................................................................ 14Maintenance Program Specifications ..................................................................................... 16

LAWN AREA ........................................................................................................................... 18VEGETATION......................................................................................................................... 20IRRIGATION ........................................................................................................................... 21CLEANING .............................................................................................................................. 22HARDLANDSCAPING........................................................................................................... 22

Comparative Analysis................................................................................................................ 32Methodology................................................................................................................................ 33Legislative Analysis.................................................................................................................... 34Reference .................................................................................................................................... 35

Appendix...................................................................................................................................... 35


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Summary

This report has been written on Rippon Lea Estate. While it is complete within itself, it contains

Conservation and restoration project, which includes comprehensive site analysis, maintenance

strategies, historical background and conservation policies. The following report is written to

understand the development of the Estate including the house and the garden.


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Introduction

The Rippon Lea Estate is situated at Elsternwick Melbourne. The garden of the Estate is

recognized worldwide. The Estate was developed in the 1860s.

This garden was developed and designed in Gardenesque style with geometric beds and paths.

The garden was redesigned for Sargood family by William Sangster in 1882

This garden has aesthetic importance for its exciting landscape work with exotic planting and

massive lawn area. There are some interesting features, such as Fernery, extraordinary water

feature and a lookout tower.

A restoration project will be carried out on this site is to enhance and conserve the significance

of the site. The restoration project consist of detail site analysis and as well as the historical

analysis of the site. The comparative analysis to point out the importance of ones site, andvarious maintenance and restoration proposals are also being included with detailed study.


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Scope

The project provides detail about monitoring, managing and maintaining the site that will

incorporate managerial procedures and schedules that impact on the significance of this site.

They include: -

A comprehensive site analysis

Scope of work

The identification of relevant legislation.

The development of maintenance specifications and schedules

A comparative analysis


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The Owners of Rippon Lea EstateFrederick Thomas Sargood was largely responsible for the development of Rippon LeaEstate. He arrived in Melbourne in 1850 at the age of sixteen. By 1858 he married

Marion A. Rolfe and in 1861 the family visited the Sargood family at England. It seems

that it has been one of the influences for the creation of Rippon Lea Estate. Rippon Lea,

named after Sargoods mother, Emma Rippon, was under construction in 1869 as a 15

roomed brick house, situated about 27 hectares. By the death of Marion Sargood,

Frederick made another trip to England and got married to Julia Tomlin, along with his

nine children.

The increase in the number of the family members and in keeping the importance, alongwith it to accommodate the large growing family, Rippon Lea was extended and altered

in the 1880s and again in the 1890s. Rippon Lea thrived by this period as an important

social centre in Melbourne until the sudden death of Sargood on 2 of January 1903.In

1904 Sir Thomas Bent purchased Rippon Lea Estate by 20,000 Pounds, and with that

Rippon Lea Estate was occasionally opened for garden parties, fetes, pageants. By

1911 Benjamin Nathan started the second phase of life at Rippon Lea Estate. In 1935

by Nathans death estate passed to his daughters, Louise and Lorna. By 1960 in

attempt to secure the property ,which had become the rarity of Melbourne, hard to

maintain the grounds, the Estate was than undertaken b National Trust of Australia in

1963.Louise Jones died in 1972, thus ending the familys direct connection to theEstate.


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The ArchitectsRippon Lea Estate, the mansion of Sir Frederick Sargood was designed by JosephReeds and Barnes in 1868. They were mainly engaged in designing of the warehouse

at Flinders Street for Sargood. When these architects were commissioned for the

design they adopted the unusual polychromatic style of lombardic Romanesque in a

comparatively simple manner.


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Review of Restoration:Conserve the Rippon Lea Estate as a site of cultural significance.. Significance featuresinclude the architecture, landscape design and vegetation. Preserve and restore extant

significant plantings and retain characters of 1900 centurys landscape design and

works.

All works should be undertaken to the recommendations of the Burra Charter. A

substantial effort should be made to select news plants according to historical and

documentary evidence.

Restoration and reconstruction should only be carried out if the current state lowers the

significance values. Historical research should be undertaken before any reconstruction

activities occur.

The trees in the lawn area of great significance because of their maturity and their

growth. The trees should have priority in terms of maintenance as they are in important

factor in the significance of this site.


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Historical Analysis of the site

Rippon Lea is situated at 192 Hotham Street, Elsternwick Melbourne. It covers a area of

about 5.6 hectares bounded by Hotham Street, Elm Street across to Gordon Street and

to the northern boundary of land owned by ABC and the Sandringham railway line.

Rippon Lea is a mansion designed and it was built with a touch of Romanesque style,

within a beautifully maintained gardens are of with International significance. Rippon

Lea has been owned by National Trust of Australia (Victoria) since 1973.The house and

the garden started in 1868 by Frederick Sargood. Sargood developed the estate,

expanded the house several times and supervised the creation of the garden.


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Statement of significance

The garden at Rippon Lea Estate is amongst the largest and an outstandingly designed

Nineteenth Century private suburban estates in Australia. All the features of the estate

were created and developed by Sir Frederick Sargood period a potential businessman

and politician. The significance of the Sargood works relates to the decorative and

service oriented areas of the gardens, all the garden structures and as well as the

underground electrical and hydraulic works. Sir Frederick Sargoods period of

ownership from 1868 to 1903 is of international significance. The general sensitive

interest regarding the garden by Benjamin Nathan, Louise Jones between 1911 and

1935 and from 1935 to 1972 is of also local significance.

According to the heritage criterias, the following site is applicable to the following

criterion, The importance of the place or object in exhibiting good design or aesthetic

characteristics and in exhibiting a richness, diversity or unusual integration of features.


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Stakeholder Analysis

Stakeholders are those people, who are concerned about the project, and the project is

being affected by the involvement of the stakeholder. The stakeholders will have

knowledge, networks and resources which can add significant value to projects.

The stakeholders involved in this project are Local Council, Victorian Heritage Council,The National Trust of Australia, senior citizens groups and local residents.

All relevant stakeholders will be consulted about the project, through the local

newspaper, council listings and leaflet distribution.


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Site Analysis

To assist in the development of this report, a comprehensive site analysis was

undertaken. The objective of the site analysis was to determine the accurate status of

the site including the features and the plantations in that particular site.

Description

The restoration site for this report is the main lawn area of Rippon Lea Estate. The

whole lawn area is being divided in to two parts by the pathway passing in between

them naming them as the Central Lawn and the Western Lawn. The Central lawn

area is along the terrace garden of the house with different garden features in it. The

Central lawn are consist of the Tennis court, Lily pond and the water feature, along with

this there is a pavilion near the tennis court. The pathway goes along the edges of the

Central garden around the Pavilion and the sitting arrangements are just beneath thelarge canopy evergreen trees.

Now about the Western lawn area, in which the maximum large trees and the oldest

ones are situated, is the best part of the lawn area. In this garden there is one marble

statue surrounded by the annuals and perennials. The Pathway of the lawn area varies.

The paths along and across the lawn area are more likely gravel pathway, some

pathway are having edges of basaltic rocks while some of the pathway are edged with

the wooden strips.

The most important aspect of the lawn area is the planting, particularly the trees,

although from the dirth of specific mention of their species in the 19th Century, it appears

their massed effect, rather than individual specimens, may have been more important.

There are some large trees mature trees south of these elms, including a Quercus an

Araucaria. The effect of the Narcissus under the elm trees and clivia encircling their

trunks has been similar in adding small scale planting and colour to an area that was far

simpler in Sargoods time. From their size, many of the trees mentioned above could be

100 years old.

The whole lawn area is being planted with different tree species such as

Key vegetation

Populus trichocarpa

Casuarina glauca

Callitropsis nootkatensis


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Araucaria cunninghamii

Ficus Macrophylla

Pheonix canariensis

Butia capitata

Washingtonia robusta

Photonia robusta

Betula pendula


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Maintenance Program Specifications

GeneralConservationPolicyThe site should be monitored regularly, and the health of plants will be monitored on a

regular basis. All buildings and hard landscaping structures will be monitored on a monthly

basis.All significant trees will undergo a yearly inspection by a qualified arborist.

For buildings and other features

An architect will monitor the buildings and other feature regularly, before any changes the

historical research should be done.

Plantings

Preserve and restore extant significant plantings and retain landscape works.

Strategies

An experienced garden will monitors all plantings regularly.


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Tree Management

Over the years, there has been no major damage to trees. As tree become over mature, they

need maintenance and replacement. Therefore some of the following strategies should be

followed:

A qualified arborist will monitor trees every year.

Over matured and dead trees will be replaced same spp.

Plant material like cuttings, seeds will be taken from those trees for future use.

Paths and roads

Conserve all existing paths and roads which have been identified as elements of significance

Strategies

The paths will be same as they were.

No new path will be constructed.

The gravel surface of paths and wooden strip edging as well as ballistic stone edging will be

retained.


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LAWN AREA

MOWING

Festuca arundinacea is a robust long-lived, comparatively deep rooted,bunchgrass.

Mowing should be done when the roots of the grass are fully grown.

Mowing should be done 4-5 times in winter and 2-3 times during summer forbetter growth.

A cutting height should keep 20-25mm in summer and 25-30mm in winter.

Remove only one third of leaf at any one time.

Setting the mower blades too low weaken the grass and limits root growth. Setthe mower height according to how fast the grass is growing. Don't cut more than

one third of the foliage at each cut.

DETHATCHING

Dethatching helps for better growth of the turf by the removal of excess growth of the

clippings and root system.

Run the dethaching machine over the lawn once a year Keeping water supply as low as possible to stop thatch build up.

Keep nitrogen applications as low as possible for acceptable growth andappearance.

LAWN CORING

It is the mechanical process to remove the thatch and the soil. By this process itimproves Aeration, it also reduces the soil compaction, improves root growth, and

improves the water infiltration. The lawn coring should be done once in a two yearschedule.

TOP DRESSING

Through top dressing process, the health of the grass increases by filling the pores and

to increase the growth of the grass. It should be done once or twice in two years.


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FERTILIZER

A basal fertilizer mix of NPKS in a 15:5:10:10 ratio is suitable.@ 5kg/200 m2.Avoid fertilizer in Dec and March.

Do not apply in heat. Fertilize the lawn 4-5 times a year. Depending on the colour after the first cut it may be necessary to apply a fertilizer

such as Baileys Nu Lawn, which is high in Phosphate and promotes rootdevelopment.

PEST CONTROL

The most common pests are army and cut worms. Use spray of Carbaryl .

Use Confidor Hose-on Lawn Insecticide (concentrated formula 500ml treats150m2) for control of white curl grub and billbug larvae.

WEEDING

If in the some circumstance weed spray is required, fertilize when weeds are noticed,

followed by at least two mowing in a three-week period. This will usually reduce the

problem to a minimum. If spraying is still required, there are several herbicides that canbe used. AVOID using any herbicides containing the ingredients DSMA or MSMA.

IRRIGATION

No need to irrigate lawn area. Rainy water is enough for lawn.


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VEGETATION

FERTILIZER:

Use NutiSoilLS 2 to 5L per hec. at 5% concentration with water. 3 to 4applications per year in autumn and spring season.

APPLY WHILE FLOWERING SEASON:Thrive Granule All purpose (NPKAnalysis: 27: 5.5: 9) . It increases plant growth; flowering and seedlings growmuch faster.

Apply monthly during the growing season at the rate of 200g per square metre.

Established trees and shrubs

Apply in spring and autumn at the rate of 200g per square metre around the drip line.

NOTE: Water in well after application.

MULCHING: Apply at 70-100mm depth. Every 8-12 months mulching should be topped.

Pine or eucalypt chips Straw or hay Fallen leaves Chipped tree pruning Grass clippings Compost

PRUNNING:

A good autumn drenching will help to store the water in the plant.

It is also necessary to conserve moisture in hot, dry climate, to allow the root

system to keep up with the upper part.

Trim hedge 3-4 times in a year. Always use good quality Hedge cutter and

Trimmer.


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All the pruning should be done according to Australian pruning standards

WEEDING

As mulching has been done, weeding should be done manually, and also onregular basis. Use Zero Glyphosate 490 Weedspray Concentrate (200 ml/50L ofwater).

IRRIGATION Ensure adequate water is applied during dry spells. Provide enough water to

keep the soil moist.Drip irrigation system will be installed in garden beds. Irrigate plants once in two week in winter and once a week during the summer

season. Use soil wetting agents (liquid or granular). Wetting agent should be watered in

well for best effect.

pH

To monitor the soil of mixed shrubbery areas as well as the garden area, it should

maintain the same pH level 6-6.5 round the year as it required.

IRRIGATION

Irrigation is one of the most important thing on the site, regular inspection of thesprinklers and the main line.

Proper cleaning of the sub lines that carry water for the drip irrigation and thewater which is recycled to the main water feature on the site.

Irrigate the garden area according to Victorian Water Restriction Regulations.


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CLEANING

Regular cleaning of the sitting arrangements that are present under the trees.

Garden bed and water features should be cleaned twice in two weeks.

Paths should be cleaned once a week.

HARDLANDSCAPING

LIGHTING

Regular inspection of the lights at every three months of interval.

Change any lights with faults.

SIGNAGE

Clear sign boards should be placed for the visitors.

Keep signs with the name for each every garden feature present in the garden.

Place the sign boards for the plant names for their Id.

All the signs should be clearly visible to the visitors.

STRUCTURAL REPAIRS

The garden features such as the fountain, and the lily pond, statues should be

inspected on regular basis. The pavilion and the archery house roof top should be

maintained with high priority.


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Maintenance Program - Block areas indicate when activity is required. Daily activities are shaded?

Winter Garden Maintenance Schedule - Weekly TimetableActivity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 SpecificationLawnsMowingEdgingDethatchingCoring

Top DressingIrrigationFertilizationPest and Disease ControlWeed ControlRepairs

PlantsFertilizerPest and Disease ControlPruningHedging and ShapingMulchingIrrigationWeed ControlRemoval and Replacement

Irrigation and DrainageIrrigation MaintenanceIrrigation ReplacementDrainage MaintenanceDrainage Replacement

CleaningSurface CleanPathsSeating

Water Features


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HardscapesPath sweeping / hosingLightingStructural RepairsSignage

Water Features

Annual BedSoil PreparationPlant Selection

Weed ControlFertilizing


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Maintenance Program Block areas indicate when activity is required. Daily activities are shaded?

Autumn Garden Maintenance Schedule - Weekly Timetable

Activity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Specification Detail

Lawns

Mowing

EdgingDethatching

Coring

Top Dressing

Irrigation

Fertilization

Pest and Disease Control

Weed Control

Repairs

Plants

Fertilizer


Pruning

Hedging and Shaping

Mulching

Irrigation

Weed Control

Removal and Replacement

Irrigation and Drainage

Irrigation Maintenance

Irrigation Replacement

Drainage Maintenance

Drainage Replacement

Cleaning


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Surface Clean

Paths

Seating

Water Features

Hardscapes

Path sweeping / hosing

Lighting

Structural RepairsSignage

Water Features

Annual Bed

Soil Preparation

Plant Selection

Weed Control

Fertilizing


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Summer Garden Maintenance Schedule - Weekly Timetable

Activity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Specification Details

Lawns

Mowing To be completed as pe

EdgingDethatching

Coring

Top Dressing

Irrigation

Fertilization


Weed Control

Repairs

Plants

Fertilizer


Pruning

Hedging and Shaping

Mulching

Irrigation

Weed ControlRemoval andReplacement






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Cleaning

Surface Clean

Paths

Seating

Water Features

Hardscapes


LightingStructural Repairs

Signage

Water Features

Annual Bed

Soil Preparation

Weed Control

Fertilizing


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Spring Garden Maintenance Schedule - Weekly Timetable

Activity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Specification Details

Lawns

Mowing

Edging

Dethatching

Coring

Top Dressing

Irrigation

Fertilization


Weed Control

Repairs

Plants

FertilizerPest and Disease Control

Pruning

Hedging and Shaping

Mulching

Irrigation

Weed Control

Removal and Replacement


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Drainage Replacement

Cleaning

Surface CleanPaths

Seating

Ornamentation

Water Features

Hardscapes


Lighting

Structural Repairs

Signage

Annual Bed

Soil Preparation

Weed Control


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Fertilizing


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Comparative Analysis

The analysis is between the two most historic and important Heritage sites of

Melbourne, Ripponlea Estate and Como Historic House and Garden. The criterias has

been set up for the following comparative analysis between the two sites.

Como Historic House and Garden:

One of the best exotic planting and garden areas.

An Inspiring Historic Mansion

Impressive collection of antique furniture

The total time period is about 160 years and it reveals Melbourne aristocracy and

offers insight to the transformation of the city through gold rush, depression, war.

No major creditable techniques or system for the estate took in to action.

Rippon Lea Estate:

In August 2006, Rippon Lea Estate became the 33 rd site to be included on the

prestigious National Heritage list, announced by Australian Government Minister

for the environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell.

It has been selected as a setting for films and documentaries because of the

historic buildings and gardens.

Rippon Lea Estate joins other places like Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne,

The Port Arthur convict site in Tasmania and Kurnell Peninsula in Botany Bay.

The most important thing about the site is about the watering system.

The watering system at Rippon Lea is one of the earliest, most complex and

relatively intact examples of 19th Century, underground engineering works found

in Australia to maintain the private garden.

From the following description, the analyses set to be towards Rippon Lea Estate to be

more significant than the Como Garden.


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Methodology

The following report follows the basic of all burra charter. The Burra Charter is a

document, which identifies the basic principles of restoration and conservation relating

to Heritage sites in Australia.

The Burra Charter was adopted by Australia ICOMOS (International Charter for the

Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites) on 19 August 1979 at Burra,

South Australia. The Burra Charter provides clear way for the conservation and

management of places of cultural significance (heritage places).


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Legislative Analysis

According to the legislative analyses, it is stated that, every Heritage site is being

protected by the legislations and laws applicable to the site. Rippon Lea Estate is

registered in Victoria Heritage Register- The reference number-H614

The management For Rippon Lea Estate requires compliance with;

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

OH&s Act 2004

Planning and Environment Act 1987.

Wildlife Act 1975.


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Reference

www.ripponleaestate.com

www.comogarden.com

www.nationaltrust.com.au

www.google.com.au

Infra Library: Previous Restoration reports

Local Council Visit

Miscellaneous

Magazines, Books

Class Notes

Australian Garden History

Australian Garden History Society

Trust news Victoria Oct-1997 Volume 26

Appendix

Photos of Rippon Lea Taken By Inamdar Parth Dakshesh
http://www.ripponleaestate.com/http://www.ripponleaestate.com/http://www.comogarden.com/http://www.comogarden.com/http://www.nationaltrust.com.au/http://www.nationaltrust.com.au/http://www.google.com.au/http://www.google.com.au/http://www.google.com.au/http://www.nationaltrust.com.au/http://www.comogarden.com/http://www.ripponleaestate.com/


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Central Lawn Area and terrace area.


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Pavilion and Tennis court


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