Site Overview
site name:
Maytone Avenue Group (nr.3)
other/former name:
Ancher House I
architect(s):
Sydney Ancher
date of completion:
1945
address:
3 Maytone Avenue, Killara, NSW
classification/typology:
Residential / Housing (RES)
editor fiche:
Scott Robertson, Louise Cox, et. al. in 2014
Description
Sydney Ancher was amongst the first to introduce the International Style to Australian domestic building, reshaping its forms to the needs of the Australian climate and way of life. As this group of houses demonstrates so ably, the basic Miesian cube is extended with covered or screened outdoor areas, emulating the Australian verandah.
Situated on a well-wooded site, no. 3 was planned by Ancher for himself and the house incorporates many of the ideas he had formulated over some years of practice. The easy-open plan, the kitchen of good size and outlook are important points in modern house planning. The use of a completely glazed wall on the eastern side was logical for the climate. The walls are pinkish off-white and the woodwork is white. The colour scheme is completed by the grey-purple of the slates. The pitched roof was the result of Council restrictions and lends a familiar suburban identity to the simple geometry of the façade. The Council also required more brickwork than was originally intended. (NSW Heritage Branch online database #1880504- 1880507 from National Trust listing proposal)
This enclave of modern case study houses is significant as a demonstration of how modern International Style architecture in Australia was adapted and designed using the capacities of local post-war construction.
(source: Maytone Avenue Houses / Australian Institute of Architects / Nationally Significant 20th-Century Architecture