Redstone, Telopea facts for kids

Redstone is a special house in Telopea, New South Wales, Australia. It is listed as a heritage site. The famous architect Walter Burley Griffin designed it in 1935. People also call it The Winter House. It became a heritage site on January 9, 2009.

A Look Back at Redstone's History

First Peoples of the Land

For about 40,000 years, Indigenous Australians lived in the Parramatta River valley. The Dharug nation, including the Wallumedagal and Burramattagal clans, called this area home. They used to burn the long grass. This helped new grass grow for native animals. This made the land very fertile.

European Settlers Arrive

In the late 1700s, European settlers arrived. Governor Phillip wanted to grow food right away. The first farms near Sydney Cove did not do well. So, they looked west and found rich land near Parramatta. This land could grow enough food for the new colony.

In 1792, some of the first freed convicts settled in "The Ponds" area. Redstone was built on land that was part of two of these early grants. William Hubbard and William Wade received these grants. Hubbard and his wife successfully farmed the land.

By 1834, the land was part of the Adderton Estate. Major Robert Gerald Moffat lived there with his family. The area was known for its fruit orchards. In 1883, Neil Harper bought Adderton as a dairy farm. He helped get Adderton Road built. This road connected to other main roads.

The Carlingford railway line was finished in 1896. It passed near the Adderton Estate. This train line made it easier to travel to the city. This helped Edward Winter decide to buy land nearby. He wanted a family home in the country. Edward Winter was also important in getting the Telopea railway station opened in 1925.

The Winter Family and Redstone

Redstone is special because the family who asked for it to be built still owns it. In 1924, Edward Winter bought some old orchard land. He wanted to build a family home there. He, his wife Greta, and their six children wanted a country lifestyle.

From 1924 to 1935, the family lived in an old house on the property. They called it "Redstone." This name came from Edward Winter's grandfather's cottage in Wales. The family enjoyed a relaxed, country life there.

Edward Winter owned a men's clothing shop in Sydney. His wife, Greta, used to color photos. They were friends with Walter Burley Griffin. They shared interests in certain social groups. Griffin encouraged Winter to build a new house. So, Winter asked Griffin to design it.

Building started in March 1935. The new house was built on about one acre of land. The rest of Winter's land was sold to help pay for the new house. In December 1935, the Winter family moved into their new home. They kept the name "Redstone."

The sandstone for Redstone came from a nearby property in Telopea. The Rumsey family, who were friends with the Winters, owned it.

In 1953, Edward Winter divided his land into smaller blocks. He kept the part where Redstone was. Other houses were built on the new blocks. Winter Street was created for these new homes.

Edward Winter passed away in 1963. His wife, Greta, then owned the house. Later, their daughter, Nella Melchert, and her husband bought it. They lived there with their family.

The Winter family has taken great care of Redstone. The house still looks almost the same as when it was built. The original plans and drawings are still with the family. They have made sure to keep the house in excellent condition.

Redstone was the last house Walter Burley Griffin designed before he left Australia in October 1935. His wife, Marion Mahony Griffin, was not involved in this design.

How Redstone Compares to Other Griffin Houses

Redstone is one of the most complete and untouched houses designed by Walter Burley Griffin in New South Wales. There are 19 of his houses left in NSW. Most of them are in Castlecrag. Redstone is the only Griffin house built in Western Sydney.

Some other Griffin houses have been changed over time. For example, the Duncan House has been extended. The Stella James House also had additions. But Redstone has stayed very close to its original design. It is unique because of its roof shape. No other Griffin building has this exact roof.

Four of Walter Burley Griffin's houses are listed on the State Heritage Register. These include Fishwick House, Eric Pratten House, Walter Burley Griffin Lodge, and Duncan House. Redstone is also on this list.

What Redstone Looks Like

Redstone is a small, single-story house. It is made of sandstone and brick. It also has a separate garage that matches the house style. The house sits in a large, open garden from the 1930s.

The roof is made of corrugated asbestos cement. It has wide, dark timber edges and deep overhanging eaves. The lower part of the outside walls is made of local sandstone. Above that, the walls are covered in natural-colored cement. These walls form piers between the windows and doors. A rustic sandstone chimney is a main feature at the front of the house.

Experts describe the house as "Interwar exotic." They also call it a "unique, compact, and affordable suburban house."

The original owners, Edward and Greta Winter, had three main requests for the design:

• The house should not have a flat roof.
• There should be no steps inside.
• Every bedroom needed a washbasin.

Greta Winter also wanted the house to be set back further from the road. Walter Burley Griffin built the house on the highest point of the old orchard. This gave great views towards the city and the Parramatta River in 1935. Griffin liked to build houses directly on the ground. He used a special technique with bitumen for this.

In 1975, Peter Harrison redrew Griffin's original plans. He gave some rooms new names. For example, the Lounge became the Living room. The Scullery became the Utility room. The Entry became the Porch.

The main entrances open directly onto patios. These patios are shaded by the large roof overhangs. Griffin wanted both entrances to look similar. The south-east entry was used as a breakfast room. It later became Greta Winter's sitting room. The front entrance still has the original "Redstone" sign.

Original Features Inside

Many original features are still in the house:

• Flooring: Most floors are cypress pine timber. The bathroom has mosaic tiles. The scullery has painted cement.
• Woodwork: Dark-stained timber skirting boards and doors are throughout.
• Windows: Recessed, dark-stained timber casement windows are used.
• Lighting: Unusual square, flush ceiling lights are in every room.
• Screens: Dark-stained timber screens with brass rods are in the dining and lounge rooms and corridor.

Other special features include:

• Lounge Room: A sunken fireplace (now restored) has an ash pan that opens outside. This made cleaning easy.
• Dining Room: Three dark-stained French doors open to the garden. There is also a fitted timber sideboard with a mirror. A two-way drawer connects to the kitchen.
• Kitchen: It has a twin "German silver" sink and timber shelving. All original cupboards and drawers are still there.
• Scullery: A large picture window is in the scullery/kitchen wall.
• Entry: A cupboard here used to hold the ice-chest.
• Bathroom: The bath, taps, fittings, and wall and floor tiles are original.
• Bedrooms: Each bedroom has basins, fittings, and mirrored cabinets. Built-in wardrobes are also in three bedrooms.
• Corridor: Dark-stained timber shelving is still present.

The Garden

The garden is open and typical of homes from the 1930s. It has a large lawn around the house. The edges of the property have many shrubs and trees. The garage is surrounded by plants and some fruit trees.

Edward and Greta Winter planted many trees. These include a Canary Island date palm and a rare multi-trunked date palm. Other trees include a cape chestnut, a Chinese elm, a jacaranda, and a lemon-scented gum. One plum tree from the orchard days still grows.

The Winters and their daughter Nella also planted shrubs. These include camellias, azaleas, and a holly bush. A camellia near the driveway came from a cutting from their old house.

Condition of Redstone

Redstone is in excellent condition. It is the most complete house designed by Walter Burley Griffin in New South Wales.

The house still has its original layout. All its original interiors, including most finishes and fittings, are there. The outside finishes are also original. The mature garden is almost in its first state.

Changes Over Time

Some small changes have been made to Redstone over the years:

• 1950s: A toilet was added to the bathroom when the area got a sewerage system. The original toilet was in the garage.
• Late 1950s/early 1960s: The sunken fireplace in the lounge was filled in. It was later restored to its original look in 2008.
• Early 1960s: The old wood stove in the scullery was removed. A modern cooker and refrigerator were put in the kitchen. The old hot water system was replaced with an electric one.
• 1970s: Ceramic tiles were added to the scullery wall. A door was put on an alcove that used to hold a washing machine.
• 2002: A large Queensland kauri tree was cut down.
• 2008: Repairs were made to the roof. A stainless steel tray was put in the shower base. The fireplace was restored. Lead sheets were added behind ceiling lights for safety.
• Date unknown: Some plants in the garden have changed. A climbing rose and a mango tree are gone.

Why Redstone is a Heritage Site

Redstone is very important because it is a great example of Walter Burley Griffin's work. He was an American architect who studied with Frank Lloyd Wright. Griffin is famous for bringing the Prairie School style of architecture to Australia.

Redstone's inside is almost perfectly preserved. This is very rare and important. The garden, though not designed by Griffin, is a good example of a 1930s garden. It adds to the house's special feel.

Redstone was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on January 9, 2009, for several reasons:

• Historical Importance: It is the only house by Walter Burley Griffin in Sydney's western suburbs. It also shows how the area changed from farms to suburbs.
• Connection to Important People: It is linked to Walter Burley Griffin. He is famous for designing Canberra and other important buildings like Newman College and the Capitol Theatre. Redstone is a great example of his smaller house designs.
• Beautiful Design: Redstone is a beautiful example of Griffin's architecture. It shows many of his famous design ideas. These include open spaces, strong stonework mixed with fine timber, and a unique chimney. The roof is made of "Super 6," a new material for the 1930s. The garden also adds to its beauty.
• Intact Interiors: The inside of Redstone is incredibly well-preserved. Many original fixtures and fittings are still there. Even a patch of the original wall paint exists in a cupboard.
• Original Documents: The original building plans and documents still exist. This helps us understand how the house was designed and built.
• Community Value: Architects and history lovers highly respect Redstone. It is mentioned in many books about Walter Burley Griffin. Students often study it. It is also listed on other important heritage registers.
• Rare and Unique: Redstone is rare because it is so complete. It is the most intact of Griffin's 19 surviving houses in NSW. Its intact garden and original drawings make it even more special. It is also the only Griffin house that has stayed with the same family since it was built.
• Shows Key Characteristics: Redstone shows the main features of Walter Burley Griffin's home designs. These include open layouts, the use of sandstone and timber, and how the house fits into the landscape.