Lyons House, Sydney facts for kids

Lyons House is a special private home located at 733 Port Hacking Road, Dolans Bay, New South Wales, Australia. It was designed by a famous Australian architect named Robin Boyd. Other talented people helped too: Marion Hall Best designed the window coverings, and Bruce Mackenzie created the landscape around the house.

The house was built in 1967 by C. H. and C. R. Ellis. McConnel, Smith and Johnson helped supervise the building work. Lyons House is also known by other names, like the Robin Boyd designed house and Marion Hall Best interiors. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 19 December 2014, which means it's an important historical place.

Discovering the History of Lyons House

Who Lived Here First?

The land where Lyons House stands has a long history. For thousands of years, Indigenous people lived in this area. Most evidence shows people lived here about 3000 to 2000 years ago.

• The Dharawal language group lived between Botany Bay and Nowra.
• The Gweagal clan, part of the Dharawal, lived near Kurnell and the Port Hacking River.
• These people enjoyed the mild climate and rich food sources. They ate seafood, reptiles, and mammals.
• They made fish hooks from shells and fishing lines from bark and grass.
• Timber was used for huts, canoes, and tools. Leaves were woven into bags.

In 1770, the Dharawal people saw Captain Cook's ship, the Endeavour. They called it a "large white bird" or "floating island." Cook landed near present-day Kurnell, a few kilometers north of Port Hacking. This landing is now a famous historical site.

How the Land Developed

The land for Lyons House was once part of a large property. This property belonged to Thomas Holt, a politician. It was known as the Holt-Sutherland Estate.

• In 1815, Governor Macquarie granted land to James Birnie in Kurnell.
• Later, John Connell received land nearby in 1821.
• In the mid-1800s, John Connell's grandson bought large areas of land.
• He became friends with Thomas Holt, who then bought about 4,600 acres in 1861.
• Holt later bought even more land, making his estate very large.
• By 1901, a map showed the site of Lyons House as "not for sale."
• Old aerial photos from 1930 show a building on the site.
• By 1961, the site was bushland again.
• The current Lyons House was built around 1970, as seen in later photos.

Meet the Architect: Robin Boyd

Robin Boyd (1919–1971) was a very important Australian architect. He was also a writer and critic. Many people consider him one of the most influential architects of the 20th century.

• In 1969, Boyd received a gold medal from the R.A.I.A. (Royal Australian Institute of Architects).
• He was a Life Fellow of the R.A.I.A. and an Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.
• He gave the famous Boyer Lecture in 1967.
• He also received an honorary doctorate from the University of New England.

Boyd was known for his writings, like "The Australian Ugliness." He wrote many books and articles. When he designed Lyons House, he was very interested in Japanese design. He had published books about Japanese architecture. Robin Boyd passed away in 1971 at age 52.

The Client's Vision

In 1967, Dr. William Lyons, an orthopedic surgeon, wanted a new home. He had bought a block of land in Port Hacking. He admired Robin Boyd's writings and asked him to design his house.

• Boyd agreed to take on the project. He was often in Sydney for other work.
• He also hired Bill Smith to help manage the building process.
• Dr. Lyons and Boyd worked together closely on the design.
• Dr. Lyons had thought a lot about how he lived.
• He wanted a pool built into the house and great views.
• He also needed lots of parking for his family's six cars.
• His first wife was musical, so the design included a music room. It even had a "stage effect" for performances.

The Unique Design of Lyons House

The style of Lyons House is called Late Twentieth Century Organic. It also shows the Post-War Melbourne Regional style. Robin Boyd was a leader in this style after World War II.

• The house is an excellent example of Boyd's creative design.
• When Boyd first visited the site, other houses blocked the bay views.
• He stood on Dr. Lyons' car roof to see the view and said, "We'll have to go up."
• Boyd also realized digging a pool into the sandstone would be costly.
• So, he suggested building the pool above ground.
• The house would then be built in sections around the pool. This maximized views and allowed for parking underneath.
• The main goal was the views from inside the house, not how it looked from the outside.

Smart Structure and Materials

The way Lyons House is built is a key part of its design. Boyd believed that a building's structure should be clear and easy to understand.

• Diagonal timber supports hold up the upper floor.
• Projecting rafters are also important design details.
• Boyd chose materials like dark clinker bricks for the ground floor.
• These bricks make the house look solid and grounded.
• The first floor walls are made of Oregon timber, stained grey. This helps them blend with the gum trees outside.
• Boyd liked materials that looked natural, "rather 'back to the forest'."
• Even though the timber looks rough, the details are very well done.
• The builder, Bob Ellis, was very skilled.
• The house feels warm because of the extensive use of timber.

Japanese Influence and Interior Touches

You can see Japanese design ideas in Lyons House. This is especially true inside.

• Sliding doors with frosted glass are used.
• The carpet looks like traditional Japanese tatami mats.
• The deep eaves (overhangs) on the outside are also a Japanese feature.
• Boyd's design also uses a strict nine-foot grid. This creates a consistent look throughout the house.

Dr. Lyons followed Boyd's advice for the interiors and landscaping.

• Marion Hall Best was a top interior designer in Australia. She focused on the "spatial values" of a house.
• Her main contribution was using simple matchstick blinds. These blinds let light in and allow people to see out. They also keep people from seeing in.
• The blinds are subtle, which is important with so many windows.
• Leslie Walford was another leading interior designer who advised on lighting.
• Bruce Mackenzie was a top landscape architect. He designed the gardens around the house.
• Mackenzie used both native and exotic plants in his design.

Lyons House is famous in architectural books and journals. It is the only complete example of Robin Boyd's work in New South Wales.

Living in Lyons House Today

As of 2014, Dr. Lyons and his family still live in Lyons House. They have lived there for over 45 years.

What Lyons House Looks Like

Location and Setting

Lyons House is in Dolans Bay, a suburb of Sydney. It sits on a hill overlooking the Port Hacking River. You can also see the Royal National Park from the house.

• The house is on an irregularly shaped lot of about 1500 square meters.
• The land is mostly made of solid sandstone.
• This rocky ground, along with the owner's wishes, led to Boyd's unique design.
• The living area is built around an elevated concrete swimming pool.
• This design avoided expensive digging into the sandstone.

The Gardens and Landscape

The property does not have its original native plants. All plants were added by Bruce Mackenzie or the owners.

• Some of Mackenzie's original plants did not last. They have been replaced with similar plants.
• Dr. Lyons added 150 tons of soil to create a small mound in the front yard. This allowed for more trees and gardens.
• Key parts of Mackenzie's design include eucalyptus trees on the front lawn.
• Low hedges line the driveway and parking area.
• The back yard facing the river is mostly open lawn.
• Shrubs have been planted along the south boundary for privacy.
• The gardens are well-kept and are an important part of visiting Lyons House.
• The driveway uses blue metal screenings. Gravel areas are around the house, and the lawns are couch turf.

Outside the House

Lyons House is a two-story building. It is built in the Late Twentieth Century Organic style. The elevated swimming pool is at the center of the house.

• The pool and its wide edge are supported by masonry piers and foundations.
• The timber-framed rooms on the first floor extend out from the pool's edge. These are called "cantilevered" rooms.
• Exposed Oregon timber beams support these rooms.
• The outside of the first floor is covered in grey-stained cedar.
• Long, narrow windows (called clerestory glazing) are at the top of the walls.
• A large steel beam supports the flat roof. The roof extends far out to provide shade.
• The concrete pool uses an innovative technique called "post tensioning." This made it more affordable for a home.
• The ground floor rooms are made of clinker brick. They surround the pool but do not support the first floor.
• These rooms form a square of four corridors. They are used for entry, laundry, storage, and pool equipment.
• From here, you can see the brick piers and walls that hold up the pool and upper floors.
• The pool deck was originally Tallowwood timber. It has since been replaced with Blackbutt.

Inside the House

You enter Lyons House through a simple blue door. This leads into one of the ground floor corridors around the pool.

• The entry hall has a stairway and a special porthole. This porthole looks directly into the swimming pool!
• The porthole glass is very thick (19mm) to handle the water pressure.
• The interior walls in the living areas are lined with treated western red cedar.
• These walls have been cleaned over time, giving them a unique texture.
• The house originally had cork floors. Now, most areas are carpeted.
• The kitchen still has a cork floor, which was replaced with the same type.
• The bedroom area has a Japanese feel. Sliding screen walls help to maximize space.
• Robin Boyd chose all the materials, including the clinker bricks inside and out.
• Marion Hall Best's matchstick blinds are a key part of the interior. They are on windows facing both the pool and the river.
• Dr. Lyons has replaced the blinds over the years, keeping the same style.
• Leslie Walford designed the lighting in the living areas. Spotlights are attached to the ceiling beams.

Important Items Kept at the House

Dr. Lyons has carefully kept many original items related to the house. These are part of its "moveable heritage."

• He has his original letters with Robin Boyd.
• He also has the first drawings for the house by Romberg & Boyd.
• The original landscape design drawings by Bruce Mackenzie are also there.
• Before the house was built, Dr. Lyons made a high-quality model of the design. This model is also kept at the property.

Condition of the House

As of 2014, Lyons House was in excellent condition. Both the outside and inside were well-maintained.

Changes Over Time

Lyons House is still very much like its original design. The original client and his family have lived there for 45 years. Some materials have been replaced over time. These changes were made carefully to keep the original design.

• A cantilever roof was added to the southwest corner.
• The original cork floors were mostly replaced with carpet. The new carpet is a lighter color.
• The kitchen and bathroom cork floors were replaced with similar materials.
• The roof has been replaced with the same type of metal sheeting.
• The pool deck timber was changed from Tallowwood to Blackbutt.
• A mirror wall was added in the dining room. This was not part of Boyd's original plan. It helps create a TV nook.
• Some of the original plants did not grow well. They have been replaced with similar species.
• The pool needs to be repainted sometimes. This involves draining the water, which is a big job.

Why Lyons House is Important

Lyons House, built in 1967, is very important to the history of New South Wales. It is a great example of Modern Movement architecture. This style was created by the famous Australian architect, Robin Boyd.

• The house shows an innovative way to build on a difficult site.
• The swimming pool is "airborne" and is the center of the house.
• The living areas extend out (cantilever) around the pool. They are high enough to get amazing water views.
• The design uses traditional materials like timber and clinker brick. It also uses modern materials like post-tensioned concrete.
• Inside, there are Japanese-inspired sliding walls.
• The design clearly shows its structural parts.
• It also celebrates the natural landscape around it.
• The contributions of Marion Hall Best (interiors) and Bruce Mackenzie (landscaping) make it even more special.
• Lyons House is the only complete example of Boyd's work in New South Wales.
• It has been featured in international architectural magazines and books.

Lyons House was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 19 December 2014. This means it meets certain important standards.

Creative and Technical Achievement

Lyons House shows great creative and technical skill in New South Wales. It is a fantastic example of Modern Movement design by Robin Boyd.

• The design cleverly handles the site's challenges.
• The "airborne" pool is the structural heart of the house.
• The living areas extend out to capture water views on three sides.
• It combines traditional materials (timber, brick) with industrial ones (concrete).
• Japanese-inspired partitions are used inside.
• The structure itself is part of the design.
• The house has a unique shape and high-quality details.
• It connects beautifully with its landscape, overlooking the Port Hacking River and Royal National Park.

Social and Cultural Importance

Lyons House is important to architects and anyone who loves modern design.

• It is listed on heritage registers by groups like DOCOMO Australia and the NSW National Trust.
• Experts on Modern Movement design often mention Lyons House.

Rare and Unique Aspects

Lyons House is special because it is the only complete example of Robin Boyd's design work in New South Wales. His other known work in NSW was changed a lot.

• Lyons House has unusual construction and details.
• It is also the only Modern Movement place in NSW that includes work by top interior designer Marion Hall Best and leading landscape architect Bruce Mackenzie.

Demonstrating Key Characteristics

Lyons House is a great example of the mid-20th century Modern Movement in Australia.

• It shows how the house's shape responds to the client's needs. It doesn't just follow a traditional house plan.
• It has a geometric, cubist shape.
• It features open spaces and an unbalanced (asymmetrical) design.
• It uses carefully detailed surfaces and sun-shading instead of fancy decorations.
• It combines industrial methods (concrete) with traditional materials (timber, brick).
• It focuses on the view from inside, not how it looks from the outside.
• It pays close attention to how the building fits into its landscape.