Penelope Seidler facts for kids

The Seidlers' home in Killara, New South Wales

Penelope Seidler (born in 1938) is an Australian architect and accountant. She is the director of a Sydney-based architectural company called Harry Seidler and Associates. She was the wife and work partner of the famous architect Harry Seidler. Together, they designed their own home, known as the "Harry & Penelope Seidler House." This house won a special award called the Wilkinson Award in 1967. Penelope Seidler also loves and supports the arts. She is a member of the National Gallery of Australia Foundation Board.

Penelope's Early Life

Penelope Alice Marjorie Evatt was born in 1938. She grew up in a place called Wahroonga in New South Wales, Australia. Her father, Clive Evatt, was a well-known lawyer and politician. Her mother was Marjorie Hanna Evatt. Penelope has two siblings, Elizabeth Evatt and Clive Evatt Jr. Their family home in Wahroonga is now called "Parklands." It is listed as an important historical building.

Her Career as an Architect

Penelope Seidler is the director of Harry Seidler and Associates. This is an architectural firm located in Sydney.

She studied architecture at the University of Sydney. She became a registered architect in 1964. That same year, she joined Seidler and Associates. She worked there as an architect and also managed the company's finances. Since 1983, she has been a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects. This means she is a highly respected member of the architecture community.

Penelope was also a founding member of Chief Executive Women (NSW). This group helps women in leadership roles. She was part of this group from 1990 to 2005. She also advised the Faculty of the Built Environment at UNSW.

Supporting the Arts

Penelope Seidler has a strong passion for art. She has been involved with many important art groups. Since 1973, she has been on the International Council of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. She has also been a director for the Biennale of Sydney since 2010. This is a big art festival held in Sydney.

She was also a deputy commissioner for the Australian Pavilion. This was at the 2013 Venice Biennale, another major international art event. She used to be on the International Advisory Board for Vienna's Austrian Museum of Applied Arts. She was also a council member of the Australiana Fund.

Penelope used to be on the council for the National Gallery of Australia. She is still a member of the NGA Foundation Board. In 1971, she joined the Art Gallery of NSW Society's council. She was one of the first "volunteer guides" there. In 1973, the Museum of Modern Art in New York invited her to join its International Council.

Penelope Visiting Professorship

In 2018, Penelope Seidler made a generous gift to the University of Sydney. This gift helped create the Penelope Visiting Professorship in Architectural History. This special role brings important architectural historians to teach at the university. The first Penelope Professor was Jean-Louis Cohen. He is a French architectural historian.

Awards and Recognition

Penelope Seidler has received many awards for her work:

• 1967: The "Harry & Penelope Seidler House" won the Wilkinson Award. She designed this house with her husband in Killara.
• 2008: She became a Member of the Order of Australia. This award recognized her work in visual arts and architecture.
• 2011: She received the Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur. This is a high honor from France.
• 2011: She was given an Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of New South Wales.
• 2014: She was the subject of the 2014 Archibald prize winning portrait. This famous painting was created by Fiona Lowry.
• 2017: She received the University of Sydney Alumni Award. This was for her contributions to culture.
• 2021: She received an Honorary Doctor of Architecture from the University of Sydney.

Her Personal Life

Penelope met Harry Seidler in 1957 at a gathering for architects. They got married on December 15, 1958. They had two children together. They first lived in a small apartment in Point Piper. Then, they moved to Ithaca Gardens in Elizabeth Bay. This was a new apartment building designed by Harry Seidler. They lived there until 1967. After that, they moved into their famous "Harry and Penelope Seidler House." This home, which they designed together, is located in Killara on Sydney's North Shore.