Source: Max Dupain © Penelope Seidler
Following its de-registration as an educational facility, and the application to rezone the land to Medium Density Residential, Waverley Council has reached the conclusion that in order to prevent demolition, an interim heritage order is required – which has been passed unanimously by Council.
This, however, doesn’t protect the building from demolition and rezoning. Gateway approval for the rezoning (and subsequent likely demolition) was granted by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment – even after significant public outcry and statements of significance prepared by DOCOMOMO Australia (vice-chaired by ACAHUCH Co-Director Professor Hannah Lewi), the Seidler family and the NSW faction of the Australian Institute of Architects.
The building, significant as Harry Seidler’s only example of religious architecture, opened in 1961 at 34-36 Flood Street in Bondi, NSW. The building employs many of Seidler’s signature approaches – expressive barrel vaults of incredibly thin concrete (7.6cm) span over 15 metres across the breadth of the space, lit from above by clerestory windows.
ArchitectureAU has reported on the process, and more information can be found here.
Source: Max Dupain © Penelope Seidler