Jack House, Wahroonga facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jack House |
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Jack House, 62 Boundary Road, Wahroonga, New South Wales
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| Location | 62 Boundary Road, Wahroonga, Ku-ring-gai Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1956–1957 |
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| Official name: Jack House | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 24 June 2013 |
| Reference no. | 1910 |
| Type | House |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
| Builders | Donald W Taylor (Bob Ellis?) |
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The Jack House is a special heritage-listed home. It is located at 62 Boundary Road in Wahroonga. This is a suburb of Sydney, Australia. The house was designed by architects Russell Jack and Pamela Jack. It was built between 1956 and 1957. The Jack House is important because it shows a new way of designing homes in Australia. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on June 24, 2013.
Contents
History of the Jack House
Early History of the Land
The land where the Jack House stands was once part of a very large land grant. This grant was given to John Terry Hughes in 1842. Later, in the 1890s, Valentine Sachs bought the land. He was a mayor and used money from his mining businesses.
When Russell and Pamela Jack bought the land in 1955, it was the last empty block on the street. Russell Jack thought it was unsold because it was very steep. Also, a small creek ran through it. The land was on the north side of Boundary Road. This meant building rules were not as strict there. For example, they could use timber and different roof materials. The Jack House has a flat roof.
Designing the Jack House
The Jacks first wanted to build a steel-framed house. But this was too expensive. So, they decided to use brick and timber instead. This new plan helped the house fit in with the natural land. They even designed it around the small creek.
The Jacks wanted to build homes that were affordable and comfortable. Many architects at the time were designing "war loan houses." These were homes with low interest loans for soldiers returning from war. These homes had strict budgets and sizes.
For their own family home, Russell and Pamela Jack mixed different styles. They used ideas from Japanese design. They also took inspiration from American architects like Frank Lloyd Wright. Their design used natural materials and a flexible layout. It aimed to connect the house with nature.
Sydney Architecture in the 1950s
After World War II, most homes built in Sydney looked similar. They were often brick or fibro bungalows. They usually had pitched roofs and faced the street. Each house was spaced evenly from its neighbours.
At the same time, Australian architects who had studied in Europe brought new ideas. They started to use "modern movement" ideas. They changed these ideas to fit Australia's unique climate.
The "Sydney School" was a term used for architecture in the 1950s and 1960s. This style focused on beauty and nature. It moved away from too much technology. Architects like Peter Muller, Russell Jack, and Bill and Ruth Lucas were key to this style. They used similar materials and aimed for simplicity. They loved Sydney's sandstone rocks, harbour views, and steep land.
They wanted to create an Australian style that fit the climate. They designed modest homes like the Jack House. These homes used a "post and beam" structure. This helped to blend indoor and outdoor spaces. It created a harmony with nature. Difficult sites, like the one for Jack House, were perfect for this. Post and beam construction was cost-effective. It caused less disturbance to rocks and trees.
The year 1957 was important for home design in Sydney. Three major houses were considered for the Sulman Medal. All three were designed by architects for their own families. These were Sydney Ancher's house, Bill and Ruth Lucas's house, and the Jack House. All used post and beam structures. They all showed a new focus on using outdoor space.
The Jack House was special for how it handled its site. It was built on the edge of two different ground levels. This showed a new direction in Sydney home design. The site was steep and covered with trees and sandstone. The Jack House proved what could be done with a small budget. It also showed how to build without harming the natural site. The design kept the challenges of the site. The small creek runs under the house. The house sits among the trees.
About Russell and Pamela Jack
Russell Jack studied architecture and planning in Sydney. He served in the Royal Australian Air Force. After his studies, he won a scholarship to travel. In England, he met Pamela Purves Lyttle. Pamela had also studied architecture in Sydney.
They got married in Sydney in 1954. Russell then started his own architecture firm with Denis John Wigram Allen. Later, Keith Cottier joined them. The firm became Allen Jack + Cottier in 1965. Pamela Jack also started her own architecture practice. She later became a skilled ceramic artist.
Russell Jack designed many important buildings. These include homes like the Carroll House in St Ives (1959) and the Palmer House in Turramurra (1959). The Cater House in Canberra (1965) won a major award.
The Jack House won the 1957 Sulman Medal for Domestic Design. This is a yearly award for architectural excellence in New South Wales. The Jack House was also featured in a magazine called Architecture in Australia.
What the Jack House Looks Like
The Jack House is made of glass and brick. But its main feature is its "post and beam" frame. This frame steps down the sloping land. The house has a plain wall facing the street. But on the other side, it opens up with large glass panels. These panels face an elevated verandah. The uphill side of the house is at ground level. The downhill side seems to float.
The house has a single story and a flat roof. It uses a lot of glass and brick. The timber frames are set in a pattern. This pattern is repeated throughout the house. The dark timber frame stands out against the white brick walls.
The house is on a very steep block of land. It faces away from the street and towards the bush. There is a carport on one side of the house. You can reach it by a driveway from the street.
You enter the house through an arched opening in a brick wall. This wall hides the house from the street. At the time, arches were unusual in modern design. But Jack believed an arch was a natural way to make an opening in a brick wall. A timber bridge leads from the carport to the entrance.
The house has a simple L-shape. It is built around a small creek that runs through the land. The entrance is where the two parts of the L-shape meet. To the left are the living room, dining room, kitchen, and study. To the right are the bedrooms and bathrooms.
The house was designed to be expanded as the family grew. It uses inner walls that can be moved. Even though it's not huge, the house feels very open. It has a free-flowing layout. The floor-to-ceiling glass walls make the rooms feel connected to the bush. The roof and floor extend beyond the glass. This makes the space feel even bigger. The same materials are used inside and outside. This helps connect the house with nature.
Condition and Changes
The Jack House and its inside areas are in excellent condition. The garden is a natural bush setting. It is mostly unchanged. The house still has some original features. These include wallpaper and its original bush setting with the creek.
Some changes have been made to the house. For example, a door was added to the study. This made the space more private. The verandah between the living area and study was enclosed. Two bedrooms were added there. An outside wall now forms an inside wall of the main bedroom. All these changes were made by the original architects.
In the kitchen, some cupboards were added by the architect. In the laundry, the washing machine area was changed. This was done to fit a new machine.
Why the Jack House is Important
The Jack House is very important to the history of architecture in New South Wales. It is a great example of a modern Australian home from the mid-20th century. Russell Jack was one of the first architects to bring modern ideas to Australia. He helped create a style known as the "Late Twentieth Century Sydney Regional style." This style focused on designing homes that fit their natural surroundings.
Russell and Pamela Jack designed the house to be sensitive to its environment. They kept the natural bush as the garden. They also kept the creek running through the land. The house also has special furniture and wallpapers designed by Jack.
Architects highly respect the Jack House. It is seen as a very important piece of Australian architecture. It helps people learn about the "Sydney Regional style." The house is often used as a teaching example. It is also a rare and well-preserved example of an award-winning modern house from that time.
The Jack House is important for several reasons:
- It shows how architecture changed in NSW: The house shows how Australian architecture developed in the mid-20th century. It was one of the first examples of modern design fitting into the Australian landscape. It shows a growing respect for nature in home design.
- It is linked to important people: The Jack House was the family home designed by Russell and Pamela Jack. Russell Jack was a very respected Australian architect. His firm, Allen Jack + Cottier, is still one of the most successful in Australia. They won the Sulman Medal for the Jack House in 1957.
- It shows great design and creativity: The Jack House is a key example of modern home design. It was influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright and Japanese architecture. Russell Jack wanted a modest house that connected strongly with the bush. It uses natural materials and a clear, simple design.
- It is valued by the community: The architectural community highly values the Jack House. It has been widely published. The Australian Institute of Architects sees it as nationally important. It is often opened to the public as a great example of modernism in Australia.
- It helps us learn about history: The Jack House helps us understand the "Late Twentieth Century Sydney Regional style." It shows how Russell Jack's ideas worked in real life.
- It is a rare example: The Jack House is a rare and mostly unchanged example of an award-winning modern house from the mid-20th century.
- It represents a type of design: The Jack House is an excellent example of modern home design from the mid-20th century. It clearly shows Russell Jack's design ideas. These include modest size and a strong connection to nature.
