Why is this place significant?

ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION: Pen'y'brn is a very large, single-storeyed house which stands on an elevated site south-west of Oamaru's town centre. Approximately 830 square metres in area, the house is designed in the Old English or Tudor Revival style which became popular amongst architects in New Zealand in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries for the design of large houses and homesteads (see below). Pen'y'brn has a U-shaped plan with an extension to the west and an enclosed courtyard which opens off the entrance hall. The exterior of the building is clad in board and battens and the eaves of the hipped roof forms which shelter each wing are bracketed and sheathed in corrugated iron. The north, west and east facing elevations feature decorative half-timbering and within the cross gables which shelter each major window this treatment is highlighted by the use of a contrasting paint. Nearly all of the gable ends have been given a different half-timbered effect and this ornamental device adds considerably to the picturesque asymmetry of the exterior composition. Inside the house the east and west wings have been modified to provide separate accommodation for the two generations of the McDiarmid family who live at Pen'y'brn (see modifications listed below). The principal rooms remain largely unaltered, however, and on the north side of the building the entrance hall is flanked by two very large living rooms, formerly the dining and drawing rooms, which are lit by square bay windows. In the north-west corner of the house the former drawing room features a wooden fire surround, a glass-fronted bookcase manufactured in England, and a plaster hanging ceiling which was made in Florence to the architect's specifications. Other features of note in this room include the original encrusted wallpaper dado and the fanlights set within the shallow west-facing bay window which are copies of those found in Alfred Lord Tennyson's home in England. Pen'y'brn's interior walls and floors are lined throughout by oak and rimu woodwork. Phillip Godfrey, a member of the renowned family of Dunedin carvers, is reputed to have executed the carving within the house. It seems more likely, however, given the lack of evidence to support this claim, that John Forrester was responsible for carving the fire surrounds and the composite pilasters which decorate the wall panelling and the internal window jambs as he was known for his interest and skill in this field. In addition to the panelling in the halls and former dining room, oak is also featured in the parqueted and inlaid floors of the living rooms, the entrance hall and the passageways which provide access to the living quarters in the east and west wings. The west addition designed by J.M. Forrester for John Bulleid's son Bim, also features the extensive use of timber. The built-in wardrobes in this room provide evidence of its original function as a bedroom, and interestingly they have their own leaded windows which were intended to prevent dampness. The adjoining room, which was once the library, also has a timber lined ceiling and as in the rest of the house the internal doors in this addition have the brass door handles which are another individual feature of Pen'y'brn. The only outbuilding associated with Pen'y'brn is the former stable, on the south side of the house, which is now used as a garage and workshop. Built from Oamaru stone, this building was originally painted so as to complement the half-timbered appearance of the house, but having been gutted by fire in 1921 it was rebuilt without this effect. MODIFICATIONS: - c.1912 - West addition designed by J.M. Forrester - library and bedroom have since been converted for use as a bedroom and billiard room respectively. - c.1935 - Verandah partially enclosed. - Post 1950 - North-west bedroom converted to second kitchen - french doors installed to provide external access. Door added in drawing room to provide easier access to the new kitchen. - Door installed in bay window of billiard room to provide external access. - East-facing window in former dining room altered to give uninterrupted view of sea - single pane of glass replacing three windows. - Scullery converted into a laundry, original kitchen in east wing divided in two and converted for use as a kitchen and small sitting room. - Box room adjoining maid's room in west wing converted into an en suite bathroom. - Original bathroom in west wing divided in two - converted for use as a bathroom and another small sitting room. - East wing bedroom with pressed zinc ceiling divided in two.

Information Sources

Other Information

Received an Enviro 'Silver' Award in 2012 from Qualmark in recognition of the numerous environmental improvements made to the property This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions. This historic place was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. This report includes the text from the original Building Classification Committee report considered by the NZHPT Board at the time of registration in 1991.