Gentian House, Garth

Probably James MacLaren, c1890 (see Notes); converted to Field Studies Centre for Garth Memorial Youth Hostel 1951, and to private dwelling 1988; porch added 1990s (see Notes). Fine tall single storey and 2-storey, L-plan Arts and Crafts house with single storey wing converted from former power house but retaining spatial element. Whitewashed harl with contrasting sandstone base course, corbels, arrowslits and crowsteps; jettied first floor; squared rubble forestair with voussoired semicircular opening. Variety of roof levels accentuate vertical emphasis of asymmetrical crowstepped gables and emphatic horizontal of former power house wing.

FURTHER DESCRIPTION: principal elevation to SW with dominant forestair to advanced 2-storey bay at left with outer angles corbelled to square at 1st floor; lean-to porch in re-entrant angle at right incorporating broad depressed arch entrance and diminutive square opening; 3 regularly-fenestrated single storey bay set back at right. NW elevation altered.

INTERIOR: simple interior retaining some plain cornices, slate window ledges and metal stand-pipe (or fire hydrant) to former power house; original timber fireplace to 1st floor bedroom.

Multi-pane glazing patterns in timber sash and case and top-openings windows. Grey/green slates. Coped ashlar and harled stacks with clay cans. Ashlar-coped crowstepped gables with beak skewputts, slightly overhanging eaves and plain bargeboarding.