Killara House Dossier

I. GENERAL INFORMATION
Project Name: Killara House
Alternative Name: Harry & Penelope Seidler House
Architect(s): Harry Seidler and Penelope Seidler
Location: Killara, New South Wales, Australia
Address: 13 Kalang Avenue, Killara, New South Wales, Australia
Building Type: Residential
Design/Construction Dates: Design= 1966, Construction= 1966-1967
Completion Date: 1967
Client(s): Harry and Penelope Seidler
Size: Total= 400 sq.metre
Budget/Construction Cost:
Collaborators: Pier Luigi Nervi (Engineer).

II. BACKGROUND/ BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT:

Harry and Penelope Seidler's Killara House is located in an established suburb, however, due to being surrounded by natural bush, there are no neighbours. Killara House was the first house designed by the couple for their own family and received critical acclaim winning the Wilkinson Award for Residential Buildings from the Royal Australian Institute of Architects. Due to the unique vertical topography and to ensure not to disturb the natural landscape, The Seidler's endeavoured for the design to fit seamless into its surrounds. (ALB)

The house is located in a steep valley and is close to natural bush reserve, and at the bottom of the site there is a creek. The house has four-half levels, which helps to fit the building into the sloping site. The top level consists of the kitchen, dining room and library, the second level for living space as well as the main bedroom, lastly the third level for children’s room and playroom which is also at the same level with the garden, studio and guest room. The garage is at the top level directly off the street, which is then connected to the house by a concrete bridge to enter the house. The house embraces the extension of space both vertically and horizontally. Level changes and central open is to provide visual link horizontally. The use of glass as well as extruding terraces is to attract the attention to the natural surroundings of the site (JG)

III. INTENTIONS OF THE ARCHITECT

The purpose of Killara House was to fulfill the living requirements of the Seidlers and their family. The plan was divided into 2 sections: a northern section which was sunny and for 'active' daytime use, and a shady section in the south for quiet and 'passive' use. The main aestheic of The Seidler's Killara House indulges in both horizontal and vertical space. While each floor plate floats from left to right as they descend or ascend, the ceiling height stretches to allow lofted, airy ceiling spaces. It is in this detail along with others that we recognise Seidler's comprehensive understanding of not only space and lines but volume, also. As demonstrated in his 1972 residential project, Gissing House, this was an intention frequently executed by Seidler. (ALB)

Seidler also designed the house to create a relationship between the users of the house and the surrounding nature. Large areas of glass as well as protruding terraces are used to draw people’s attention to the natural landscape setting across all different levels. The expanses of glazing, stepped levels and generous natural light creates unity between the surrounding and the interior of the house hence the user of the house will feel the similar atmosphere on inside as well as the surrounding environment. (JG)

IV. DRAWINGS
Site plan:

Site Plan (Sharp 1997, 91) (ALB)

Building plans:

Top Floor Plan (Blake 1973,153) (JG)


Bottom Floor Plan(Blake 1973,153) (JG)

Sections:

Section from the creek bed (Blake 1973,146) (JG)

Elevations:

South Elevation (Sharp 1997, 90) (ALB)

North Elevation (Sharp 1997, 90) (ALB)

East Elevation (Sharp 1997, 90) (ALB)

(West Elevation) (Sharp 1997, 90)(ALB)

Renderings (axonometric and/or perspectives):

Other (sketches, details, models, etc.):

Details of vertical support with reinforced concrete (Blake 1973,148) (JG)

V. PHOTOGRAPHS
Exterior:

Entrace (Sharp 1997, 90) (ALB)

House (Sharp 1997, 89)(ALB)


House (Sharp 1997, 91) (ALB)


Garden (Blake 1973, 161 ) ALB

Living room terrace (Sharp 1997, 91) (JG)

Lower House (Blake 1973, 149) (ALB)


House (Blake 1973, 155)(ALB)


Stairs (Blake 1973, 157)(ALB)


House (Blake 1973, 152) (ALB)


House (Blake 1973, 160) (ALB)


Pool (Frampton & Drew 1992, 63)(ALB)

Terrace (Frampton & Drew 1992, 63)(ALB)

Interior:

Living Room (Blake 1973, 159)(ALB)

Ground Living Room (Blake 1973, 165)(ALB)


Living Room (Blake 1973, 162) (ALB)

Living Room (Blake 1973, 167)(ALB)

Office (Blake 1973, 166)(ALB)

Stairs (Blake 1973, 164)(ALB)

Living Room (Sharp 1997, 91)(ALB)

VI. CONSTRUCTION
Construction system(s): The construction of the house is of maintenance-free materials off form concrete and rubble stone. The three rows of vertical supports consist of reinforced concrete block piers which are made of white cement, the different lengths adjusting the building to the uneven landscape, The concrete piers also support suspended and cantilevered concrete floors, these terrace level is stiffened by ail-height parapets which make possible the long projections. Similar stiffening elements are provided for the concrete roof in the form of sun protection downturns, shielding the glass area.(JG)

Materials used
a) exterior: Seidler is well known for his extensive use of concrete in his projects and Killara house is no exception. Seidler's use of concrete is a response to the Australian climate. The material offers extensive thermal properties which keep the house cool in summer and warm in winter. The project features flagstone retaining walls which provide support for the vertical landscape. Bluestone accents are found in walls and provide an aesthetic quality while also providing support. The balconies, doors and windows feature glass and aluminium frames. The selected materials keep in code with modernist design principles and support the simple aesthetic the regime enforced.(ALB)

b) interior: Inside, the home integrates quartzite stone flooring and Tasmanian oak panels in the ceilings of some areas. A bluestone fireplace intersects each floor from the ground to the top level. The home features a combination of painted brick walls and exposed concrete walls. The selected materials follow modernist design principles which convey beauty in simple and minimal amount. (ALB)

Environmental Systems: Multiple bluestone fireplaces and hydronic heating panels. Air conditioning was also featured and is housed in a room on the lowest level opposite the cellar. (ALB)

The use of glass allow natural lights to pass to the interior of the house. (JG)

VII. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE/ INNOVATIONS INTRODUCED:

Killara house is an important contribution to the Australian architectural landscape as it introduced a new style of architecture which examined new materials, technologies and spatial quality. Seidler is commonly recognised as the Australian pioneer for Modernism, implementing the design methodology which contrasted the exisiting architectural style of the period. The Domino system implemented in Killara House demonstrates Seidler's use of new technologies to improve architectural spaces while his extensive use of concrete supports his understading of the Australian climate and the importance of material selection. In contrast to the residential homes of the period which focused on the configuration of the plan, Killara house examined space as a volume which is supported by its lofted ceilings and free form plan. An Australian precedent for modernist design principles, Killara house introduced a new architecture that examined the quality of internal space, material and structural systems to enhance Australian architecture. (ALB)

Killara house has a significant degree of technical significance through its ability to demostrate the innovative use of commercial scale structural techniques in a residential design, in which he used concrete as the main material of the house. Since Killara house is Harry Seidler's residence, this became a frequent venue for Seidler's contribution to Sydney's cultural life.(JG)

VIII. ANALYTIC DIAGRAMS
Parti diagram:

Parti Diagram (ALB)

Program diagram:

Program Diagram (JG)

Program Bubble Diagram (ALB)

Structure diagram:

Structure Diagram (ALB)

Tectonics diagram:

Roof Construction Diagram (ALB)

Ornament diagram:

Killara House Ornament Diagram (ALB)

Site/Context diagram:

Killara House Site Diagram (ALB)

IX. ANNOTATED REFERENCES

Books:

Blake, Peter, 1973, Architecture for the new world: the work of Harry Seidler. Australia: Horwitz.

Collection of Seidler's work offering in depth drawings, interior and exterior images of Killara House. (ALB)

Drew, Phillip, Frampton, Kenneth and Harry Seidler, 1992, Harry Seidler:Four decades of architecture. Australia: Thames & Hudson.

Collection of Seidler's work offering some drawings but mainly interior and exterior images of Killara House. (ALB)

Seidler, Harry and Dennis Sharp. Harry Seidler:The Master Architect (Series III). Australia: Images Publishing Group (1997)

Collection of Seidler's work offering drawings but mainly interior and exterior images of Killara House. (JG)

Abel, Chris and Harry Seidler. Harry Seidler:Houses & Interior (Volume 2). Australia: Images Publishing Group (2003)

These page describe the construction of the house. (JG)

Articles:

Parker, Charles P., 1968, "Two concrete houses." Architectural record no. 144 (2):[111]-116.

A short article about Killara House offering exterior photographs. (ALB)

Seidler, Harry, Seidler, Penelope, 1969, "Architect's own house in Killara, N.S.W." Architecture : formes et fonctions no. 15:[163]-[165].

A short article about Killara House offering architectural drawings. (ALB)

Websites:

Harry Seidler & Associates: Harry and Penelope Seidler House accessed: 02-04-2014 http://seidler.net.au/?id=4

Page from the architect's website offering photographs and construction details. (ALB)

State Library of NSW: Seidle House, Killara accessed: 19-03-2014 http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/discover_collections/society_art/seidler/seidler_house/index.html

Archive collection of drawings and photographs of Killara House. (ALB)

X. LINKS

Harry Seider & Associates http://seidler.net.au/(ALB)

Australian Government: Australian Stories: Harry Seidler http://australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/harry-seidler (ALB)

-- AriSeligmann? - 2014-02-13