WOW HOUSE WITH BARRY DU BOIS – 50s HOME

THE BRIAN SEIDLER HOUSE The Marcus Seidler House is one of 3 homes built on a 2 hectare family estate in northern Sydney. Designed by Harry Seidler for his parents (Rose Seidler House 1948) and his brother Marcel (Julian Rose House1949) and his uncle Marcus (Marcus Seidler House 1951), the latter house is the only Harry Seidler project to have undergone 3 renovations (including extensions) all designed and overseen by the architect himself.

Brian, the son of Marcus, grew up in the house and continues to live in it with his wife Donna and their 3 children Amelia 10, Mila 6, and Marcus 4. The original home was modest in design, consisting of just 2 bedrooms and an open plan living area with a 2 way central fireplace. In 1958, Brian’s parents requested an addition of 2 more bedrooms and a second bathroom. Harry obliged with a design that was in keeping with the original style of the

   

     

 

house. The 3rd and final addition came in 2004 when Brian and Donna became pregnant with their second child and realised that extra space was needed. Harry obliged with their request and the 1st addition was converted into a second living space (keeping one of the bedrooms intact) and 2 more bedrooms and a new bathroom were added. Downstairs an entirely new living space with kitchen was also designed to allow the family to live during the day at ground level and within eyesight of the children playing in the garden. The swimming pool was installed and extensive landscaping undertaken to level the garden. Included in the design is a dynamic looking sandpit with circular shade blades which are echoed over the swimming pool.

For Brian this architecturally significant house has always been his home, so it has always felt, accordingly, like home. Does it feel like living in a museum sometimes? Do you feel the weight of responsibility to maintain it, restore it, and keep it in its true condition?

“No, never. As children, my brother and I were oblivious to the fact that the house was ‘special’. And that’s how my children feel about it now. But I do appreciate its design and the connection to my family, so I am all about doing whatever it takes to ensure it continues to be here in another 60 years time.”

Whilst the house has features that are truly modernist in style with an original 1950’s retro feeling interior, it’s modern layout and forward thinking (for its day) design means that it still provides the perfect space for family living today even though it was concepted and built over 60 years ago.

The original kitchen, bathroom and all of the cabinetry remain as they did when the house was built. There are even pieces of furniture, such as the dining table and desk which have remained in the same position as when Brian was a child. Of course with any house, some things will eventually need replacing, like appliances etc. In this circumstance, paint colours have been matched (by the Seidler architectural office), flooring tiles sourced in the original pattern, and other building materials chosen as per original specifications. With the new additions, modern fittings were chosen (and approved by Harry) which were in tune with the 1950’s design, such as the air conditioning ducts. Mounted wall lights were custom made by a skilled artisan to match the ones in the original part of the house. The mural (it is believed designed by Harry) was repainted as part of the recent renovation. Much research was done by Brian to find original photos of the mural which proved that one of the colours in the mural

   

     

 

had been touched up incorrectly back in the day. It has since been repainted in its original khaki and is no longer a tone of brown.

The final result is a combination of modern and modernist design and it is almost impossible to tell which is which.

With Harry sadly passing away in 2006, Brian is relieved that the transformation of the house came with Harry’s blessing and input. Harry was known to be very particular about his designs, he was a true perfectionist. Upon finishing a design for his clients and overseeing its construction, it has been said that Harry even sometimes insisted on choosing the furniture.

WEBLINKS www.Seidler.net.au