Hy Brasil, Avalon Beach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hy Brasil |
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Hy Brasil, Avalon Beach, in 2016
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| Location | 62 Chisholm Road, Avalon Beach, Northern Beaches Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1936 |
| Architect | Alexander Stewart Jolly |
| Architectural style(s) | Californian Bungalow and Organic |
| Official name: Hy Brasil; The Gem; Hi Brasil | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 79 |
| Type | House |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
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Hy Brasil is a special house located at 62 Chisholm Road, Avalon Beach, in New South Wales, Australia. It was once a weekend getaway but is now a home.
The house was designed by Alexander Stewart Jolly and built in 1936. It is also known by other names like The Gem and Hi Brasil. This unique house was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This means it is protected because it is an important part of history and culture.
The Story of Hy Brasil
The land where Hy Brasil stands was first given to John Joseph Therry in 1833. Later, it was divided into smaller plots for building houses.
Over the years, the land changed owners several times. In 1923, Kathleen Wilhelmina Jolly, who was the wife of the architect Alexander Stewart Jolly, bought the land.
In 1935, a man named Arthur Wilson bought the land. He asked Alexander S. Jolly to design a special house there. Arthur Wilson called this new house 'The Gem'.
'The Gem', which is now known as Hy Brasil, was built in 1936. It was made from stone and timber. The name Hy Brasil comes from a mythical Irish island called Brasil. In old Irish stories, this island was believed to be a magical place, sometimes even called the Garden of Eden.
In 1980, the family living in the house, the Hermans, wanted to protect it. So, Hy Brasil was officially protected on 31 July 1981. This protection was later moved to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 1999.
What Hy Brasil Looks Like
Hy Brasil was built with a main living area and covered porches on the east and west sides. It also had a bedroom and kitchen on the south side.
The house was built using local rock from Hawkesbury sandstone. It was designed around a large stone fireplace. The architect used natural materials like stone and timber. This style is called "organic design" because it tries to blend with nature. The fireplace has a very long stone slab for its mantel, about 3 metres (10 feet) long!
The house has a modern look for its time. It was influenced by styles like the Californian Bungalow and "Organic" architecture. It has big windows, exposed wooden beams inside, and a low, flat roof.
Hy Brasil gets its name from the mythical island of the Garden of Eden. It has amazing views of the Tasman Sea to the east and Pittwater to the west. To get to the house, you walk up a narrow, winding path through large sandstone rocks.
Around the house, many native trees were kept. Other beautiful plants were added, like sweet gum trees, pampas grass, and tree ferns.
The local sandstone was also used to create steps, garden seats, walls, small pools, and a barbeque area.
The area west of the house has grassy terraces that lead down to a sandstone cliff. Below the cliff, there is natural bushland. The whole house feels like it is a part of the natural bushland around it.
Why Hy Brasil is Special
Hy Brasil is very important to the history of New South Wales. It is one of three "organic" houses designed by Alexander Stewart Jolly in Avalon.
The house is built simply with stone and timber. It sits beautifully in its natural bushland setting. This shows Jolly's ideas about how buildings should connect with the Australian landscape.
Hy Brasil was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register in 1999 because it met important requirements:
- It shows how cultural history developed in New South Wales.
Hy Brasil is a great example of "organic" architecture from the 1900s. It is one of only three such works by Alexander Stewart Jolly. Its unique bushland setting and stone terraces are a big part of its design. This special style even influenced the "Sydney School" architectural movement later on.
- It shows great design and creativity in New South Wales.
Hy Brasil sits on top of a ridge, so it can be seen from far away. It offers amazing views of the Tasman Sea and Pittwater. The native bushland around the house has been kept and improved with other beautiful plants. This makes the setting perfect for the natural style of the house.
