Rose Seidler House facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rose Seidler House
Rose Seidler House, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The architect, Harry Seidler, was the winner of the 1951 Sir John Sulman Medal.
Location	69–71 Clissold Road, Wahroonga, Ku-ring-gai Council, New South Wales, Australia
Built	1948–1950
Architect	Harry Seidler
Architectural style(s)	International modernist
Owner	NSW Office of Environment and Heritage
New South Wales Heritage Register
Official name: Rose Seidler House; In neighbourhood precinct with Marcus Seidler House and Teplitzky House or Rose House
Type	State heritage (built)
Designated	2 April 1999
Reference no.	261
Type	House
Category	Residential buildings (private)
Builders	Bret R. Lake
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Rose Seidler House is a very special old home in Wahroonga, Sydney, Australia. It was designed by a famous architect named Harry Seidler. He built it for his parents, Rose and Max Seidler, between 1948 and 1950.

Even though it was for both parents, it's named after Rose. This is because she was the one who really pushed for the house to be built. She made most of the important decisions about its design. Today, Rose Seidler House is a museum. It shows off a unique style of architecture from the middle of the 20th century. It is also listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, which means it's an important historical place.

A Look at Its History

How the Land Was Chosen

The land where Rose Seidler House stands was first put up for sale in 1855. For many years, no one bought it. Later, in 1893, the area was divided into smaller blocks. It was called the "Pymble View Estate."

Around the early 1900s, people started to build homes here. They liked the bushland setting. In 1948, Harry Seidler arrived in Sydney. He wanted to build a house for his parents. He chose this area because it was quiet and natural.

Building a Family Home

Harry Seidler bought a large piece of land, about 16 acres (6.5 hectares). He imagined a special family area. He planned three houses, all connected by an S-shaped driveway. There was even space for a swimming pool. This whole area was surrounded by gardens and native bush.

Rose Seidler House was the first to be built. Construction happened between 1948 and 1950. The Seidler family lived there for about 20 years. Later, Harry Seidler's parents passed away. The house was then rented out for a while.

Becoming a Museum

In 1981, Harry Seidler updated the house. Then, in 1988, he officially gave Rose Seidler House to the government. It was then leased to the Historic Houses Trust of New South Wales. This group now runs it as a public museum.

Since 1991, the museum has been open to visitors every Sunday. It lets people step back in time. They can see what a modern home looked like in Australia in the mid-20th century.

What the House Looks Like

The House and Its Garden

Rose Seidler House is part of Harry Seidler's idea for a group of three modern homes. He wanted the buildings to fit with nature. The house sits in a cleared space. Only a few eucalyptus trees were kept. This shows how modern buildings can stand out against the natural world.

The garden around the house was very special. Rose Seidler herself designed it. She loved growing plants that she couldn't grow in her home country, like frangipani and oranges. The garden mixes native bushland with modern landscaping. It also has Rose Seidler's personal touches.

Inside the House

Rose Seidler House is a two-storey home with 12 rooms. It sits on about 1 hectare (2.5 acres) of bushland. The house is made from four main materials. These are natural stone, concrete, timber, and glass.

It was built in the "International modernist" style. This was a very new and futuristic style for Australia at the time. Harry Seidler wanted the house to feel open and endless. He said the design makes you always wonder what's beyond. It feels like a continuous space.

The house's ground floor is raised up on one side. It has a double garage with stone walls. There's also a large recreation area. This area gets light from an open space above.

The main entrance leads to stairs. These stairs go up to the first floor. Here, you find a fireplace and amazing views of the Ku-ring-gai bushland. The house has big glass walls in many rooms. This brings the outside views right into the house.

Each room, except the main bathroom, has a great view. The design separates the living areas from the bedrooms. This makes the spaces feel flexible. The inside of the house uses smooth walls and rough sandstone. This creates an interesting look.

How It's Been Kept

The house is in excellent condition. It has been cared for very well over the years. It had major updates in 1971, 1981, and 1988. These updates helped keep the house looking its best.

Why It's Important

Rose Seidler House is very important for many reasons. It shows off the ideas of Modernist art and design. It's one of the best examples of mid-century modern homes in Australia.

The house still has its original furniture from the late 1940s. These pieces were made by famous designers like Eames and Saarinen.

Rose Seidler House also had a big impact on how homes were built in New South Wales. It influenced other architects and builders. It also shows how new building methods and materials were used after World War II. The house even has examples of early electric appliances and other modern inventions.

It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. This means it's officially recognized as a place of historical importance.

• It shows the history of Modernist design in New South Wales.
• It's a great example of mid-century modern architecture.
• It influenced how homes were designed in New South Wales for many years.
• It shows how new building techniques and products were introduced in Australia.

Images for kids

• 

  Outside verandah and mural.

See also

• Australian residential architectural styles
• Harry and Penelope Seidler House