Architecture
5 Historic Arts and Crafts Homes With an Australian Spin
See how the elements of a celebrated international movement in architecture played out in a country ripe for change
The Arts and Crafts movement is often recognized as the first international modern architectural movement. With each country having different names and versions of this style, Arts and Crafts thrived equally in Europe, Britain, the United States and Australia.
When Arts and Crafts emerged in Australia in the late 19th century, the country was ripe for change. Not only were Australians coming out of the 1890s depression, but in 1901 the Australian colonies were federated, making Australia its own commonwealth. The country was looking for its own quintessential style that was less austere than the British architecture of the past and more about function, comfort and showing off the beauty of raw materials.
Of course, strong British influences did apply to this time in Australian architecture, as many architects emigrated from England. Close ties with the United States also proved significant. This new frontier believed in a more holistic, honest and unornamented house that reflected family values and architecture for the average Australian.
Many contemporary Australian architects place sustainability and longevity high on their list when designing a home. No wonder they draw inspiration from the architects of the Arts and Crafts period, as the homes of that time still stand glorious — a real testament to the craftsmen and their work.
See if any elements in these five great examples of Australian Arts and Crafts architecture speak to your design tastes.
When Arts and Crafts emerged in Australia in the late 19th century, the country was ripe for change. Not only were Australians coming out of the 1890s depression, but in 1901 the Australian colonies were federated, making Australia its own commonwealth. The country was looking for its own quintessential style that was less austere than the British architecture of the past and more about function, comfort and showing off the beauty of raw materials.
Of course, strong British influences did apply to this time in Australian architecture, as many architects emigrated from England. Close ties with the United States also proved significant. This new frontier believed in a more holistic, honest and unornamented house that reflected family values and architecture for the average Australian.
Many contemporary Australian architects place sustainability and longevity high on their list when designing a home. No wonder they draw inspiration from the architects of the Arts and Crafts period, as the homes of that time still stand glorious — a real testament to the craftsmen and their work.
See if any elements in these five great examples of Australian Arts and Crafts architecture speak to your design tastes.
2. Ailsa House. This home's architect, Bertrand Waterhouse, was a well-known Sydney architect who took most of his inspiration from British architects C.F.A. Voysey and Baillie Scott. Waterhouse believed in simple, straightforward designs free of unnecessary encumbrances.
The Ailsa House, designed in 1908, offers a typical example of Waterhouse's Arts and Crafts style. This house has a sandstone foundation. Sandstone is the bedrock for most of Sydney — it has distinctive earthy qualities and was often used in buildings of this era.
Rising up from a single-story kitchen to two stories at its gabled entrance, this house is made up of a series of steep gabled roofs, roughcast exterior walls, protruding balconies and shade-stone arched openings. On every elevation, bays and balconies provide built-in seating. Like many of Waterhouse's homes, the Ailsa House is adorned with exposed timber ceiling beams and wainscoting in the main interior rooms.
Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Sardaka
The Ailsa House, designed in 1908, offers a typical example of Waterhouse's Arts and Crafts style. This house has a sandstone foundation. Sandstone is the bedrock for most of Sydney — it has distinctive earthy qualities and was often used in buildings of this era.
Rising up from a single-story kitchen to two stories at its gabled entrance, this house is made up of a series of steep gabled roofs, roughcast exterior walls, protruding balconies and shade-stone arched openings. On every elevation, bays and balconies provide built-in seating. Like many of Waterhouse's homes, the Ailsa House is adorned with exposed timber ceiling beams and wainscoting in the main interior rooms.
Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Sardaka
3. St. Ellero, Appian Way. At the start of the 20th century, businessman George J. Hoskins bought 80,000 square meters (almost 20 acres) of land in Sydney. In partnership with designer and builder William Richards, Hoskins had a vision to build beautiful homes and rent them out to people with social standing. Richards designed many of the homes on this site; two (including St. Ellero) were designed in the Arts and Crafts style.
Typical features of this period stand out, such as the white roughcast rendering, pebble dash walls, low roofline, sandstone around the windows and doors, and repeating chimneys.
Many architects of this time shared the belief that by showcasing certain construction materials — such as wooden pegs in the beams and bare stone and brick — you revealed the building's true beauty.
Photo by Wikimedia Commons user J Bar
Typical features of this period stand out, such as the white roughcast rendering, pebble dash walls, low roofline, sandstone around the windows and doors, and repeating chimneys.
Many architects of this time shared the belief that by showcasing certain construction materials — such as wooden pegs in the beams and bare stone and brick — you revealed the building's true beauty.
Photo by Wikimedia Commons user J Bar
4. Craignairn. Architect Howard Joseland built this house in 1909. He migrated from England to Australia, with little fondness for the Victorian architecture he left behind.
Joseland's homes were designed for the climate. He often positioned large verandas on several sides for summer shading. He also liked to display the materials he used. His interiors were full of rich paneling made of local timber.
Craignairn is a great example of Joseland's design principles. This project is an imposing two-story brick home with striking stone features on the pillars and around windows. Originally the roof and the balconies were made from oak shingles — a new element that arrived from the United States.
Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Clytemnestra
Joseland's homes were designed for the climate. He often positioned large verandas on several sides for summer shading. He also liked to display the materials he used. His interiors were full of rich paneling made of local timber.
Craignairn is a great example of Joseland's design principles. This project is an imposing two-story brick home with striking stone features on the pillars and around windows. Originally the roof and the balconies were made from oak shingles — a new element that arrived from the United States.
Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Clytemnestra
5. Devon. Designed by owner-architect Arthur Leslie Bayley in 1923, the Devon house technically falls outside the Arts and Crafts era, but it is still a striking example of the period in Australia.
In 1904, 101 acres of land was subdivided in Sydney's Centennial Park — and each plot came with a caveat. To ensure a high standard of construction, no wooden structures or terraces were acceptable. Instead, only brick or stone was to be used, with only tile or slate roofs. The Devon house shows how an architect could follow these standards with beautiful results.
Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Sardaka
In 1904, 101 acres of land was subdivided in Sydney's Centennial Park — and each plot came with a caveat. To ensure a high standard of construction, no wooden structures or terraces were acceptable. Instead, only brick or stone was to be used, with only tile or slate roofs. The Devon house shows how an architect could follow these standards with beautiful results.
Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Sardaka
The home's unpretentious exterior is covered in two different materials — the lower section in beveled timber boards, and the upper in roughcast panels. The vertical wood patterns on the U-shaped balustrades on the veranda extend up to the gables, showing off the architect's Gothic-inspired ideas.
Desbrowe-Annear considered the extreme shifts of Melbourne's climate when designing the house. He cleverly concealed ventilation ducts in all the ceilings and placed windows to catch the winter sun and summer breezes. He took inspired English designs and made them work for Australia's sunburnt landscape long before sustainable architecture was fashionable.
Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Hayhayleyley