Which brings me to the Australian House (Home)

: Very reliably built House, but very 'British' in style. Anyone walking through Paddington (very affluent lifestyle suburb now) knows that 'no-one' living in those houses ever actually are seen 'socialising' via those small verandahs nowadays. Its an 'Inward' living abode.

: Very 'Sydney' in its material use of Sandstone, but the style of the buildings are still 'overseas' in their appearance. The Rocks are a good example of an Australian/Sydney material - but British style. Again the house is 'outward' in its style from being Australian, while being lived as an 'inward' lifestyle.

: A very Australian/Sydney use of material - BushRock and a very Australian/Sydney 'style' of design. Burley-Griffin, an American (USA) always looked 'inwards' to Australia for inspiration and his Castle-Crag House produces it as the best example in all of Sydney. He even caters to the 'inwardly living' lifestyle that is the city of Sydney.

: A Far better planned version of the Sydney Terrace and with better accessories too. Melbourne always had that luxury, but these Houses get used by the 'general' public, not really the domain of the 'affluently styled' people. They are a bit more 'outwardly' sociable than their Sydney counter-parts for being many a provision to peoples in need.

: My god! What an amazing innovation of House that didn't think back to 'overseas' (outward) for comfort, but stepped up to the challenge of adapting to the Environment around it (inward) and still looking great. The living style is definitely 'Outward' for the occupant with its open spaces.
Queenslander: Akin to the Queenslander house, this style looked 'outward' though, to overseas influences and still provided an 'outward' living for the occupants. Come to think of it - it appears like an early form of BeachComber as well.
: Probably the most 'boring' of the lot. Just a House that was made to be 'just there' because there was nothing else there. A lot of these 'Homesteads' - although found more 'inward' of this continent that all the other styles - the vast majority of them kinda still were styled with a (outward) British look about them. Although Sandstone gave them an Australian like material, only the Creek 'Hobbit' holes at Burra seemed 'inwardly' Australian 
*Terrible to see no Trees in South Australia 

: Ahh yes - the ramshackle little abodes that provided city people with a 'getaway' period. It was more about the 'location' than the house itself. But, I must add - it was more about the 'collective' of such 'Weekenders' together that gave rise to such a popular House trend and style. Style is hard to pin - as most were made from all sorts of stuff. But it provided 'outward' living conditions and possibly the most superior form of Socialising that Australians get to experience ...other than getting drug@#%&ed and drunk in a Pub/Club while having sex with someone you really do despise ...like an illegal immigrant. 

One of the most 'beautiful' looking style of Houses found around the nation. Its ironic that something that came into being as being 'inwardly' Australian ...was made up from 'overseas'/outward influences.

Practical, efficient, cheap and very popular. Such styles as the Tocumwal and Harry Sedler's (an American) 'overseas' style of the 'cubism' flourished as possible the most successful 'overseas' style of housing in Australia.
is based upon overseas form of housing but somehow perfects itself around Australia and not just along coasts. A house that 'inwardly' provides for your Cars, Boats and storage - but creates the 'outwardly' living lifestyle for its occupants. I must add that, like the Queenslander (and the NT), it too would be good in times of floods.


I admire Burley-Griffin's approach, that although he was a Foreigner - he chose to look inward towards the Australian country and even provide an 'organic' look to the house. To me, he was the most 'progressive' Designer for what constituted an Australian house. Wether he used 'Australian-made' materials all the time - I dunno? But the Bushrock look at Castle-Cragg is just awesome, even if it does seem like a house that 'hides' the people within. I do know that Burley-Griffin was 'varied' in his styles and not everything looked like Castle-Cragg.

What is not presented is the House - a new kid on the block that provides the most 'superior practicality' and 'materials' in an era where Housing has become just ...well, look at all those 'BLOCK' Houses that cost your x5 times more than what is really needed for a house. To me they are the poor persons (because you will become poor at those prices) 'Mansion' that flood the suburbs, kill backyards and smother beachfronts and coastlines.

So what makes an Australian House?

Yes - the Californian Bungalow was promoted on the Series.
Very successful.

Indeed Buzz,

That's why I liked the Program Series.

It not only, via all things 'HOUSE',
described the 'Australian-ness'
via the influences of what of the country they were found in (Tropical to Temperate is a good example of difference)
but also as to what they were expressing.

The Sydney Terrace (speculative building) is a great example of a House design that is influenced in its style by an 'outside' source (Britain) and keeps its occupants in an 'inward' type of living.
Then you have the Queenslander which is a great example of a House design that looks 'inwards' to Australia itself (with what it knows at the time) for Design ...which ironically provides for an 'outward' type of living for its occupants.

...one rejects Australia in two ways, the other accepts Australia in two ways.

For me - it is a great TOOL or way to think, when 'considering' all things
with such things like ...the FLAG.
Need to come to understand and accept all the points of the Compass BEFORE you/I make a decision as to which direction to go. Even then, one must understand the 'natural' influences that may, like a storm, prevent one travelling in 'that' direction - as a straight line (down to a watery grave).

That's why I was impressed with the program series: it took into consideration - every angle of Australian-ness from every corner and every period.

Is there then, a one - true type of Australian design that outshines all the rest?
Is there one - true 'place and time' where that House is found?

I would say that there is one 'Building' that does - the BIG BARNACLE (Opera House), but is it really a 'House'?? 

Maybe the True - Australian-ness of a Home, is not a House at all?
In North America - if you live in a Trailer Park, you are considered 'Social Trash', a 'negative' aspect of North American way of life.
But in Sahul (Australia) - living in a Trailer Park is held in high regard due to not only its 'locations', but also because of the valuble 'times' spent there. The Socialising at Caravan/Camper Parks both 'official & unofficial' is still the highest form of 'positive' socialising that I have experienced in this country. Even endeavours to capture such a thing.

Alas  - seems many 'prime' locations that this sort of thing occurred, have been over-run by the less sociable 'Block' MANSION. Large monstrous Houses that take every inch of open space as it can. It sprawls along the beaches as close to the tidal mark it can get and it looms over people walking along the sands as if to state

"This is MY backyard! Get lost! Get off and get stuffed!"

        ...and so it does indeed happen.

Thankfully some 'Coastal' regions recognise this 'negative' impact and steer clear of 'High Rise' and 'Large/Double storey' infrastructure where most are built as just 'Rental' Properties for Holidayers ...who can't find a more sociable experience. I used to work installing stuff into these large expensive Block Mansions (permanent/holidayer) when the 'money' was being thrown about and BORROWED, but now that the Economic reality has hit and everyone is paying twice the amount 'back' to where it all came from. These Block Mansions sit unfinished, empty and up-For Sale.    Even Holiday time, they only cast a dark shadow upon a greedy and selfish period of 'self-indulgence'. 

I used to holiday as a youth at a place called Scotts Heads in Northern NSW (south of Coffs Harbour). It was always a pleasure driving along the road to suddenly see the Sea rise up into our line of sight via a high 'outlook' from one of the coastal edges.
Now ...three giant monstrosities block such a sight, for the mere pleasure of just a few. There is a little 'parking' space (x2 cars)  next to the 'WALL' of Mansions, where once was a space for many. Its as if to say - "oops"  I remember standing there as an adult and looking towards an Occupant of one of the Mansions - enjoying his 'better' View with a beer. I couldn't help hide my disgust, but I was polite enough not to yell abuse.
...so this is what Australians do, when they get some 'money'. Its all about 'themselves'. Its all about Councils getting desperate and thoughtless for money.
Its all about the greed of Real Estate over the shared experience of the many.

Wouldn't it be great if all housing and infrastructure, besides Ports (CBD's ) were forced to keep 'behind the line'
and not allowed to 'sprawl' all over good natural environments.
At Scotts Heads - I entered the water to 'get away from it all', as did everyone I'm sure. Back then - one could turn around and see Trees, green hills and more. But now - you turn around in the water and see Block Mansions, High Rise Condominiums, Flats, and a major road called 'Boulevarde' littered with shops and cars, cars, cars.
Oh ...and a few council planted 'trees'. 

There is no escape from it at all 

I've seen a few 'Brady' Houses around (OZ) in my time.
Seen many 'overseas' and 'odd local' as well.
Even thought I saw a 'Jetsons' once when young - looked really neat too.
Just off a beach in a Southern Sydney area is a big house that looks like a SeaShell.
Log & Stone 'cabins' (Weekenders) remind me of more the North American styling.

The Double-Brick Veneers are a popular one amongst the rich in OZ ...still after the Straw Bale Houses prove a mere 'fraction' of the price to build, with an 80% better insulation/strength/& more - rating. 

Jasin wrote on Aug 20^th, 2014 at 5:37pm:


That is becoming increasingly rare these days. With tight network budgets everything seems to come out of Sydney.

Jasin wrote on Aug 21^st, 2014 at 7:03pm:


The Brady house is modest by American standards. And yes there are houses like theirs here, but these were all built when the 'Orstralian' was predominant. And as Gnads points out below, brick veneer is just that a veneer of brick attached to a wooden frame (the bricks not even supporting the roof). There's nothing all that wrong with it as a construction method, it probably competes with American built wooden houses, but the size and features is where it's lacking. No basement or attic for example. Problems that can be solved without needing to renovate using a bulldozer mind you.

And as for alternatives, even a sandbag house would have be an improvement on shipping containers welded together. (Maybe it's the Aussies (magnetic) attraction to fings steel (a legacy of 'e's ball 'n' chain days) and the sense of security 'e would get living in somefing that was at least used to transport freight in the 'old of a ship?)

Sandbag Houses:

https://www.google.com.au/search?biw=1024&bih=553&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=Sandbag+houses...

Gnads wrote on Aug 21^st, 2014 at 7:17pm:
The poor thing just feels threatened by aussies. Come here, we won't hurt you snookums.