Town Cottage

The town cottage is a derivative of the early primitive colonial cottage from the early 1800s. These earlier buildings were built from mud and timber slabs with roofs of bush poles covered in bark, thatch, or shingles. Built out of necessity and a need for shelter, these were replaced as soon as their residents became more affluent.

The evolution of the town cottage varied from region to region depending on the local supply of building materials. Walls were made from brick, timber, or stone. The small roof would have been made from corrugated iron. This was often extended to form a verandah along the front, back, and sides.

Buildings of this era were based on the typical Georgian vernacular buildings. The front door would be located centrally in the façade with windows being placed symmetrically on either side. The roof was normally hipped and these sometimes housed additional rooms with dormer windows supplying valuable light. In most cases the traditional shingles have been replaced with corrugated roofing material.

A great, one-evening kind of project, this kit includes wooden parts and sandpaper. Wood glue is required to complete the model and is not included with the kit. Not in the mood to build it yourself? Choose the Finished Model version.

To assemble this scale model, you will need a flat work surface that is at least 18" by 18"; white glue, brands like Elmers or Titebond Premium work well; and a knife to separate wood parts from the sheets.