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Architecture

In NSW we have buildings and structures that are greatly loved, including such icons as the 1930s Sydney Harbour Bridge and the 1950s Sydney Opera House. But much of our most interesting architecture goes completely unnoticed.

An introduction to some of the state's architectural styles can be found in this section – with an emphasis on those that are not so well appreciated. A list of architects and designers can be found on our people page.

More architecture can also be found on the Heritage Walks pages of this website. If you're looking for something specific, try the search page.



Seaforth
is a suburb on the route to Sydney's northern beaches. Inter-war houses are a feature of the area around Ponsonby Parade and Seaforth Crescent.


Manly has architectural gems from virtually every decade of the twentieth century. There are many fascinating houses and apartment blocks in the streets around Manly Wharf. Don't miss the 1960's Ting Hao building on Darley Rd, which rises like a modernist pagoda on the hill behind East Esplanade. (Apparently, Ting Hao means Mountain Sea in Cantonese.)


Ting Hao, Manly

The streets around East Esplanade are rich with treasures. Then, on the other side of Manly Wharf, is West Esplanade featuring remarkable 1930s Brighton Hall on Fairlight Street, and other gems. There are also many interesting things to be seen in streets along Manly oceanfront.

Brighton Hall, Manly

 

Fairlight, up Sydney Rd west of Manly, has many flats, houses and shops from the 20s and 30s through to the 50s and 60s.

 

 

Inter-war houses are a feature of many Sydney suburbs, but they often get demolished, cement rendered, or modified beyond recognition. Fortunately though, this remarkable house on The Boulevarde in Cammeray has recently been painstakingly restored.


 

 

In the centre of the city is the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and the Sydney Opera House. The Sydney CBD also has some great buildings (and quite a few not so great).

 

 

The oceanfront in Manly is well worth exploring.


 

 

Main picture: 215 Edinburgh Rd, Castlecrag. Designed by Eric Nicholls in 1940, and built in 1942 for Stan Moriarty and his family.

 

There are many high quality structures and a wide range of 20th century architectural styles to be found in Canberra, Australia's national capital.

 

Killara has grand houses and plenty of greenery.

 

Castlecrag is closely associated with Walter Burley Griffin and his wife Marion Mahony Griffin, but there's also much to be seen that's the work of other architects and builders.

 

In Lane Cove, there's something appealing about the lines of the Central District Ambulance Building.


Central District Ambulance, Lane Cove

 



Willoughby is home to the Willoughby Incinerator, designed by Walter Burley Griffin and Eric Nicholls. The suburb is made up of fairly modest houses, mainly California bungalows. The Australian version of this style is quite different in some ways to the American original, and if you'd like an introduction to our version, you can download one here. Willoughby also features quite a range of other interesting buildings from the 20th century.

 

 

Neville Gruzman was well-known as one of Sydney's more colourful characters. He was also an architect who designed some very fine houses.

 

 

Wahroonga is where you'll find one of the most influential 20th century houses in Australia. Rose Seidler House was designed by Harry Seidler in the late 1940s. It features authentic period furnishings and is open to the public. Every year there is a Fifties Fair at the house, which is extremely popular. Rose Seidler House is open to the public via the Historic Houses Trust.

Not far away in Killara (although not open to the public) is the less well known, but equally outstanding Harry & Penelope Seidler House.

 

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