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Media Releases |
Media Release - Minister's Office Sydney: 9 January 2009 HERITAGE PROTECTION FOR WESTERN SYDNEY'S WALTER BURLEY GRIFFIN HOUSE “Redstone” at Telopea, the most intact original house designed by famous American architect Walter Burley Griffin, has been listed on the State Heritage Register.
Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, today visited the modest standstone and brick house which was designed in 1935 for businessman Edward Winter, his wife Greta and their family.
“Redstone has state heritage significance because it’s remained largely unchanged from the original design and layout overseen by Walter Burley Griffin,” Ms Keneally said.
“The House is the most intact of the 19 surviving houses in NSW designed by Griffin, making it a jewel in the crown among his designs.
“That’s why we are listing Redstone on the State Heritage register, which will protect it for future generations. The Heritage Council of NSW would have to approve any major changes.
“Redstone is the only Griffin designed house in Western Sydney and is also the last of Griffin’s homes still remaining in the ownership of the family who commissioned it.
“It is one of five Griffin houses listed to date on the State Heritage Register. The others are Fishwick House at Castlecrag, the Eric Pratten House at Pymble, the Walter Burley Griffin Lodge (the Stella James House) at Avalon, and the Duncan House at Castlecrag.
“Redstone is a credit to the three generations of the family who have appreciated the significance of the property, and maintained its authenticity with care.”
Ms Keneally said Redstone was the last house designed and supervised by Walter Burley Griffin before he left Australia in 1935.
The house contains many of the distinctive Griffin features including: • Open planning; • Juxtaposition of stonework with timber joinery; • An Art Deco styled chimney; • Curtained interior screens; and • A multi-layered roof with large overhangs.
Edward and Greta Winter had three stipulations regarding the house design: that the house not have a flat roof; that there be no steps and that every bedroom have a washbasin.
In typical Griffin style, the house is built directly upon the ground, separated only by a layer of tar, then gravel, then timber boards onto which the Cypress pine floorboards are laid.
REDSTONE BACKGROUND
• The original owner, Edward Winter owned a gentleman's outfitter's shop in Pitt Street, Sydney while his wife, Greta, worked as a colourist before their marriage. They were friendly with Walter Burley Griffin through their shared involvement in the Single Tax Movement and the Theosophical Society.
• Also known as ‘The Winter House’ by architectural historians, Redstone is named after Edward Winter's grandfather's cottage in Wales.
• The Dundas and Telopea area was mainly used for agriculture and orcharding before the introduction of a sewerage system in the 1950s enabled suburban development.
• Griffin sited the house on the highest point of the original orchard landscape which enabled views eastwards to the city and south to the Parramatta River in 1935.
• The front and back entrances open directly from the living room and back entry room respectively onto patios shaded by large roof overhangs. Griffin intended that the two entrances have similar features and not be strongly differentiated.
• The original lettered sign, 'Redstone' is still displayed at the front entrance.
• The external walls to sill height are built from locally quarried (Telopea) sandstone.
• Redstone was built in 1935 on a 0.4 hectare (one acre) lot of former orcharding land that once formed part of the large early nineteenth century Adderton Estate. A plum tree from the original orchard remains to the west of the house.
• Redstone’s garden is typical of the inter-war period in its layout and includes several trees and shrubs planted by Edward and Greta Winter and their daughter Nella Melchert. The garden includes a rare multi trunked Canary Island date palm.
• The original specification and original coloured contract drawings for Redstone are still in the family's possession.
• The family has employed high quality heritage advice in Redstone’s maintenance and repair ensuring that it has been conserved according to Burra Charter principles.
• The family is currently preparing the house for sale, for the first time in its history.
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