Thurlow House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thurlow House |
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Heritage boundaries
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| Location | 9 Stuart Crescent, Blakehurst, Georges River Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1953–1954 |
| Architect | Harry Seidler |
| Official name: Thurlow House | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 2016 |
| Reference no. | 1980 |
| Type | House |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
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Thurlow House is a special home located at 9 Stuart Crescent in Blakehurst. It's considered a heritage-listed building, which means it's important to history and protected. The famous architect Harry Seidler designed it, and it was built between 1953 and 1954. This unique house was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 21 October 2016.
The Story of Thurlow House
Early Land Owners
The land where Thurlow House stands was once part of a much larger area. In 1840, this land was given to two important people: John Terry Hughes, a merchant, and John Hosking, who was also a mayor of Sydney.
Over the years, the land changed hands many times. It was owned by different people, including bankers, farmers, and even a politician named Samuel William Gray. Gray was born in Northern Ireland and came to New South Wales around 1835. He became a farmer and later a member of the New South Wales Parliament.
The Thurlow Family and Their New Home
The land was eventually bought by Mr. and Mrs. David Thurlow in 1951. Marjorie Olive Thurlow, born in 1919, was a smart woman who studied at the University of Sydney. She even served in the RAAF during World War II. David Keith Thurlow, also born in 1919, became a successful lawyer.
The young couple wanted a modern home. They chose a rising young architect named Harry Seidler to design it. The Thurlows lived in the house for many years, with Marjorie staying there even after she and David divorced in 1970.
Who Was Harry Seidler?
Harry Seidler (1923–2006) was a very important architect. He was born in Vienna, Austria, but had to leave in 1938 to escape the Nazis. He studied architecture in Canada and then at Harvard University in the USA. There, he learned from famous architects like Walter Gropius, who was a leader of the Bauhaus movement.
Seidler came to Sydney, Australia, in 1948 because his parents, who had moved there, asked him to design a house for them. This first house, called Rose Seidler House, was finished in 1950. It became very famous and helped him get many more jobs designing homes and buildings across Australia.
Seidler's company, Harry Seidler & Associates, was formed around 1954. He designed many different types of buildings, from houses to offices. His designs were always very modern and often won awards. Some of his most famous buildings in Sydney include Blues Point Tower (1961), Australia Square (1967), and the MLC Centre (1978). He received many awards for his work, both in Australia and around the world.
Designing Thurlow House
The plans for the Thurlows' new house were ready by September 1951. Harry Seidler worked with Frank D'Arcy, Don Gazzard, and engineer Peter Miller on the design. The Thurlows managed the building process themselves, keeping the costs down.
The house was designed to make the most of the amazing views over the Georges River. Because the building spot was narrow, Seidler came up with a clever "split-level" design. This meant the house had different floor levels that flowed into each other. This design allowed every room to have a view and created interesting spaces inside. It also provided a covered outdoor area and protected the house from too much sun.
What Thurlow House Looks Like
Thurlow House is a split-level home with a separate garage. A short covered concrete bridge connects the garage to the house. The house faces south to capture the beautiful views of the Georges River. The sides facing east and west have solid walls to block the sun and give privacy.
Inside the House
You enter the house on a middle level. From here, open stairs with steel handrails lead you either down to the living areas or up to the bedrooms.
- Lower Level: This floor has a living room with a strong stone fireplace. The fireplace, stairs, and entry area separate the living room from the dining area. Beyond the dining room is a small kitchen and laundry. These open onto a drying area between the house and the garage. The living and dining areas also open onto a wide deck, perfect for enjoying the view.
- Upper Level: Upstairs, you'll find two bedrooms, a study, and a bathroom. This level extends out over the deck below. The ceilings inside the house are angled, which makes the spaces feel connected and open.
Harry Seidler himself described the house in his book in 1954. He wrote that all rooms face the view. He also mentioned the "complete glass walls on the south" to bring the view inside. For privacy and sun protection, the north side has special glass and horizontal louvres.
Building Materials
The house is built on a rock shelf. To avoid building foundations on the steep slope, part of the house, especially the southern end, hangs out over the edge. This is called a "cantilever."
The walls are made of stone and light-colored bricks. Inside, the walls and floors are covered with beautiful timber boards. The roof was originally made of asbestos felt, a common material back then, but it has since been replaced with metal. The windows are framed in steel.
The house also had advanced lighting for its time, with lights hidden in the ceiling and fluorescent tubes. The kitchen was very modern and well-equipped, even having a "dumb waiter" to connect it to the main bedroom!
Condition and Changes
As of 2016, Thurlow House was in good condition, though it needed some care. The garden around it was a bit overgrown.
The house has kept most of its original features, including the furniture and fittings in the living areas, bedrooms, and kitchen. Only a few changes have been made over the years. The original roof was replaced, and the carport was enclosed to become a garage. Some kitchen appliances and bathroom fittings have also been updated.
Why Thurlow House is Special
Thurlow House is important because it's a great example of an early Modern Movement house. It was designed by the very important architect Harry Seidler and is still very much like it was when it was built.
A Unique Design by a Famous Architect
This house shows Harry Seidler's design ideas, how he used structure, and his choice of materials. It's special in his work because of its clever split-level design. This design allowed him to work with the site's challenges and make the most of the views. The house has interesting spaces and a smart layout.
Thurlow House also shows advanced building techniques for its time. For example, steel was used to make parts of the building hang out (cantilever). It also had modern technology for the 1950s, like hidden fluorescent lights and built-in places for music equipment. The fact that it's still so original makes it even more important.
The Natural Setting
The garden and land around the house are also important. Harry Seidler believed that the surroundings for his houses should look natural. He even kept some of the native plants that were already there, which was unusual for buildings in the 1950s. The views from the house over the treetops to the Georges River are a key part of the design.
A Rare Example
Thurlow House is a rare example of a very well-preserved modern house built after World War II in New South Wales. Many of Seidler's early houses have been changed over time, but Thurlow House remains largely untouched. This makes it a unique example of his early work.
Showing Modern Architecture
The house is a great example of modern homes built in New South Wales after World War II. It shows many of Harry Seidler's design ideas for homes, like:
- Arranging spaces on different levels to get the best views.
- Having built-in furniture and detailed finishes.
- Using the building's structure to create open and complex spaces.
Its excellent condition helps show these qualities clearly. The natural garden setting, including a single gum tree in the front yard, also shows Seidler's preferred natural style of landscaping.
Thurlow House was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 21 October 2016 because it meets these important criteria.
