Igloo House
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| Igloo House | |
|---|---|
 Igloo House during restoration in 2019. The house is in the upper right of the photo, covered in blue plastic. | |
| Location | 65 Parriwi Road, Mosman, Mosman Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Coordinates | 33°48′40″S 151°14′48″E / 33.8111°S 151.2467°E |
| Built | 1952–1953 |
| Built for | George Laurence Williamson |
| Architect | Harry Seidler |
| Official name | Igloo House, The; Williamson House |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 1 November 2002 |
| Reference no. | 1652 |
| Type | House |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
| Builders | G. L. Williamson |
  Location of Igloo House in Sydney  Igloo House (Australia) | |
Igloo House is a heritage-listed dwelling located at 65 Parriwi Road, Mosman, New South Wales, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. It was designed by Harry Seidler and built from 1952 to 1953 by G. L. Williamson. It is also known as Williamson House. It was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 1 November 2002.[1]
The site was purchased by George Laurence Williamson, a solicitor who emigrated from Britain in the late 1940s. In 1951 he commissioned the design from the innovative architect, Harry Seidler. The innovative engineering design, utilising concrete slabs on piers, was undertaken by Peter Owen Miller. The house was built in 1952–1953 by Williamson as owner-builder using various tradesmen. Outfitting of the house appeared to continue for some time after this. Williamson sold the house in 1970 and subsequent owners have modified it since then, though retaining the basic structures.[2][1]
Description
Unusual twin-arched garages and light concrete body set on poles on the waterfront cliff. It was designed by Harry Seidler in 1951. A distinguishing characteristic is a double-arched garage roof offset against a concrete wall, with a backdrop looking towards Sydney Heads. The first Australian house to use flat-slab construction, with special concrete developed by a Sydney engineer, Peter Miller, that did away with heavy foundations. The house has been subject to several alterations since construction.[1]
Condition
As at 1 November 2002, the physical condition is good. Mostly intact, with modifications.[1]
Modifications and dates
Modifications - probably mainly undertaken in the 1970s:[2][1]
- Garage doors and glass panels replaced with painted timber walls.
- Sun deck enclosed with metal roof.
- Wrought iron bars on street-front (west) strip windows.
- Replacement of entrance area railings.
- Bronze-frame window on north replaced.
- New enclosed floor added under house.
- Bronze sliding doors on east front replaced and glazing relocated to outer edge.
- Window cleaning gantry on east front.
- Repainted from original colours.
- Swimming pool and cabana built on lower part of site.
On 18 July 2019, Penelope Seidler, in a conversation with Lucy Feagins, of The Design Files, advised Feagins that "the Igloo House, Mosman is an exciting new restoration project in Sydney that Harry Seidler & Associates are currently working on."[3]
