‘Kawana’ the family home of Jean and Winstan Joyce,was designed and built between 1952 to 1953 by Norman Nicholson – Jean’s father, a highly respected Hobart based builder who used only the best materials and skilled tradesmen on all his building sites for over forty years.
‘Kawana’ is of solid construction double brick with stipple cement rendered finish, architecturally the modernist design has a European – Bauhaus influence, Norm Nicholson designed and built numerous homes around Tasmania including ‘Drip Village’ at Lutana for the executives of the Hobart Zink Works, where he was head of construction.
His signature rippled finish effect is distinctive, using a cut down tin,the slurry was mixed to a creamy consistency that dribbled slowly a few centimeters down the walls.
The steel windows and concrete slab bases were ground breaking features in their time built to last in that the solid construction methods used, shows little sign of stress after fifty years of occupation.
The generous corner block of around 1350 square meters is unique within the region its Eastern boundary alongside the Burnie Park with rose gardens, playgrounds and walking track make Kawana an ideal location for family living.
The home was built on top of what was once a Chinese frequented area in that when the garden was being dug there were numerous Chines medicine bottles uncovered, the rocky ground took years of cultivation by Jean and Winstan to enable the present garden to thrive.
There is a right of way along the Eastern boundary that would allow for rear access to the Southern corner where Winstan’s work shop is located, a studio or separate flat could be built and still retain a good level of privacy from the main house.
The second story was added around 1970 with two bedrooms and a lounge area, the added height offering a wonderful vista along the coast and out to Bass Strait, and across the park to West Park Oval.
An easy walk to the town center and West Beach, with all services a short drive to the private hospital, schools and newly opened artist space next to the beach.
Kawana is a stylish home that will provide a comfortable base for any future owner, location is all important – Kawana is one of the most iconic in Burnie and a classic of its mid twentieth c place in history.