Nellie McCredie facts for kids
Nellie (Nell) McCredie (1901–1968) was a talented Australian architect and potter. She was one of the first women to become an architect in Australia. Her designs and pottery are still admired today. One of her famous architectural works, a house called Uanda, is even listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. You can also find her beautiful pottery in major art galleries across Australia.
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Nell McCredie's Life Story
Nellie McCredie was born in Sydney, Australia, on May 27, 1901. Her parents were Robert Smail McCredie and Nellie. She had four siblings: Robert, Allan, Ina, and George.
A Family of Architects
Nell came from a well-known family of architects. Her uncles, Arthur Latimer and George McCredie, were famous architects in Sydney. They even had an office in Brisbane for a few years. This family background likely inspired Nell's interest in design and building.
Becoming an Architect
In 1923, Nell McCredie graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Architecture degree. This was a big achievement! She was one of the very first women in Australia to become a qualified architect.
After university, she worked on some exciting projects. She briefly helped with the plans for the famous Sydney Harbour Bridge. Later, she moved to Cairns and then to Brisbane. In Brisbane, she worked for the Workers' Dwellings Branch. This department helped design homes for everyday Australians. While working there, she designed six houses in different parts of Queensland. She also designed the house called Uanda as a special project for a client.
Designing for Everyone
Nell McCredie cared about making life better for average Australians. In her university studies, she wrote about designing simple, beautiful homes. She believed these homes should fit well with their surroundings and have lots of trees. Her ideas were similar to those of her university teachers, who liked classic and simple building styles.
From Buildings to Pottery
Like many women architects of her time, Nell found it hard to keep working in architecture full-time. So, she explored another passion: pottery! She learned pottery in Brisbane from a skilled artist named Lewis Jarvis Harvey.
In 1932, Nell moved back to Sydney. She started a pottery business in Epping with her younger brother, Robert. Their pottery became very popular. It was known for its simple, well-made designs.
Awards and Recognition
Nell McCredie was an active artist. She showed her pottery at many exhibitions. In 1951, she won a special award for her pottery called the Elizabeth Soderberg Memorial Award. Her work is now displayed in five major art galleries across Australia. These include the National Gallery of Australia and the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Nell's Legacy
The house Uanda is currently the only known building designed by Nell McCredie. It's rare to find works by early women architects because many of them couldn't continue their careers. Nell McCredie passed away in Sydney in 1968. Her work as both an architect and a potter continues to inspire.
