Sydney Ancher
Sydney Ancher | |
|---|---|
Sydney Ancher, December 1948 | |
| Born | Sydney Edward Cambrian Ancher 25 February 1904 |
| Died | 8 December 1979 (aged 75) |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Years active | 1924–1966 |
| Parent(s) | Edward Ancher, Ethel Parsons |
| Awards | |
| Practice | Prevost & Ancher, Ancher Mortlock and Murray (1952—1964), Ancher Mortlock Murray and Woolley (1964—1975), Ancher Mortlock and Woolley (1975—2013)[1] |
| Buildings | Killara House (own) |
| Projects | Northbourne Housing Group, ACT |
Sydney Edward Cambrian Ancher ARAIA ARIBA (25 February 1904—8 December 1979), was an Australian architect from Woollahra, Sydney. His fascination with Europe contributed to the introduction of European internationalism in Australia. He also had a significant impact on the establishment of modern domestic architecture.[2]
Early life
Sydney Ancher was the son of New Zealand journalist Edward Albert Ancher and his Australian wife Ethel Puah, née Parsons. He was educated at Mosman Superior Public, North Sydney Boys’ High and Sydney Technical High School.
Architecture career
From 1924 Ancher undertook architectural studies at the Sydney Technical College at night and qualified as an architect in 1929. Ancher was articled to the architect E.W.S. Wakeley between 1924—1926 and between 1926—1930 gained a range of architectural experiences with Wunderlich Limited and architects Prevost, Synnot & Ruwald, and Ross & Rowe. In 1931 he was awarded the Australian medallion and the Byera Hadley travelling scholarship.[3]
After working with Reginal Prevost (as Prevost & Ancher), Sydney Ancher founded his solo practice in 1946 before co-founding Ancher, Mortlock and Murray with his assistants in 1952.[4]
Recognition
After retiring in 1965, he dedicated himself to architectural education, receiving the RAIA Gold Medal in 1975 for his efforts.
In 2007 the ACT Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects recognised his legacy with the Sydney Ancher Award as the named award for Residential Architecture, Multiple Housing.
Notable Projects
- Prevost House, 65 Kambala Road, Bellevue Hill, NSW, 1937[5] (As Prevost & Ancher)
- Ancher House (Poyntzfield), 3 Maytone Avenue, Killara, NSW, 1945. Awarded Sir John Sulman Medal, 1945.[6]
- Hamill House, 4 Maytone Avenue, Killara, NSW, 1948[7]
- Farley House, North Curl Curl, NSW, 1948
- House, Killeaton Street, St Ives, NSW, 1950
- Ancher House III, 15 Bogota Avenue, Cremorne Point, NSW, 1957[8][9]
- Northbourne Housing Group, Canberra, ACT, 1962[10]
Family life
On 26 November 1926 he married Aaletha Ethel Hasemer, a stenographer, at the Presbyterian Church, Mosman, Australia.
Retirement
Ancher retired in 1966. His wife died in 1970 and he died on 8 December 1979 in hospital at Waratah. He was cremated.
References
- ^ "Ancher Mortlock and Woolley". Architecture AU. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
- ^ “Premier Opens £1/4m Parade Of Master-built Homes”, The Sydney Morning Herald, 6 April 1963. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
- ^ Apperly, Richard E. (2006). "Sydney Edward Cambrian Ancher (1904–1979)". Australian Dictionary of Biography.
- ^ "Provost House, Bellevue Hill NSW, 1937". Docomomo Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ^ "Provost House, Bellevue Hill NSW, 1937". Docomomo Australia. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ^ "Architecture: arrival of modernism: Sydney Ancher". State Library of NSW. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ "4 Maytone Avenue, Killara, NSW 2071". realestate.com.au. 20 July 2021.
- ^ "Sydney Ancher and 15 Bogota Avenue, Neutral Bay". At home in North Sydney. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
- ^ "Ancher House III". Docomomo Australia. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
- ^ Cheng, Linda (8 May 2015). "Sydney Ancher's architectural legacy under threat". Architecture AU. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- Ancher, Mortlock, Murray and Woolley: Sydney Architects 1946-1976, David Saunders, Sydney: Power Institute of Fine Arts, University of Sydney, 1967