Notice of Intention to Designate 7 Rolph Street, Dundas

Description of Property

The 0.145-hectare property municipally addressed as 7 Rolph Street, Dundas, known as the Lennard House or Mushroom House, is comprised of a two-storey steel and wood frame pedestal dwelling built in 1971. It is located on the north side of Rolph Street, near the intersection of Rolph Street and Parkside Avenue, in the community of Dundas, in the City of Hamilton.

Statement of Cultural Heritage Value or Interest

The property at 7 Rolph Street, Dundas has physical value and displays a high degree of craftsmanship and technical achievement as a rare example of a dodecagon (twelvesided) contemporary dwelling. The two-storey cedar board clad cantilever pedestal form frame dodecagon was designed in 1969 and constructed in 1971 and is the only documented example of either a pedestal or dodecagon dwelling in Hamilton, is also a rare example of a dodecagon dwelling in Canada, and it is believed to be the only pedestaled dodecagon dwelling in Canada. 

The property has historical and associative value due to its connections with the Lennard family, including Samuel Bertram Lennard (Bert) and Gladys Louisa McInnis Lennard, Harry Lennard a notable architect, and Hugh and Marjorie Clark. The dwelling at 7 Rolph Street was designed by Harry Lennard for his parents Bert (1905-1981) and Gladys Lennard (1906-1989) in 1969 and was completed in 1971. During his life Bertram was employed by the historic Dundas apparel business S. Lennard & Sons Ltd., founded by his grandfather in 1879. Throughout his architectural career Harry Lennard has played important roles in the construction of major landmarks, including the theatre complex then known as Hamilton Place now named First Ontario Concert and the restoration of St. James Anglican Church in Dundas. In 1989 the property was sold to Marjorie Hawkins Clark (1928-2007) and Hugh Clark (1932-2018). Hugh Clark was a notable Hamiltonian and businessman with a strong interest in local philanthropy, founding the Clark Family Foundation and the Marjorie Hawkins Clark Fund. 

The Lennard / Mushroom House is considered to be an important landmark in its immediate residential landscape, and the property is important in defining the character of its surrounding area. The dwelling’s unique ‘mushroom’ shape stands out in the surrounding historic and post-war residential landscape and is linked to the historic evolution of Dundas’ residential landscape in the twentieth century, with its design showcasing changes in values and trends in the early contemporary period. The wooded character of the property also maintains and supports surrounding natural features like the Sydenham Creek.

The key attributes that embody the physical value of the property as a rare example of a pedestal dodecagon dwelling which demonstrates a high degree of craftsmanship and technical skill and is associated with architect Harry Lennard and prominent twentieth century Dundas and Hamilton businesspeople includes:

• All twelve exterior elevations and roofline of the two-storey steel cantilever frame structure, including its:
  • Cantilever pedestal ‘mushroom’ form and massing;
  • Dodecagon footprint and design;
  • Twelve facet hip roof;
  • Raised, central skylight and decorative collar;
  • Deep soffits with embedded lights;
  • Cedar board cladding;
  • Rear porch extension;
  • Four large square picture windows along the rear of the building;
  • Transom windows along the façade and eastern elevations;
  • Lower-level rounded glass bay which houses a spiral staircase;
  • Steel frame porch and bridge; and,
  • Angled, vertical plank fence along the porch and bridge.
• The original interior first and second storey features, including the:
  • Circular interior skylight opening lined with stained cedar board;
  • Stained cedar board ceiling lining the main living areas, including living and dining areas, kitchen, halls, and master bedroom; and,
  • Wood spiral staircase, including the second storey wood banister.
• The original landscaping features including the"
  • Cut-stone stairs;
  • Circular walkway surrounding the dwelling’s pedestal;
  • Cut-stone planters; and,
  • Angled, vertical plank fence along the eastern side yard leading to the bridge.
• The key attributes that embody the contextual value of the property as a landmark and as a defining feature of residential Dundas, include its:
  • Unique two-storey pedestal dodecagon massing;
  • Location in the Sydenham Creek floodplain; and,
  • Wooded character and tree canopy of the property.