Purulia, heritage-listed residence in Wahroonga, Sydney
Purulia is a house in Wahroonga near Sydney, built between 1912 and 1913, featuring white walls and a roof covered in multicolored tiles. The building has rectangular windows with shutters and a simple geometric layout designed for practical living without extensive household staff.
William Hardy Wilson, an architect interested in traditional building styles, designed Purulia as a contrast to the more ornate Queen Anne homes in the neighborhood. The house became a symbol of honest construction and good taste, despite early criticism from neighbors.
The name Purulia reflects the family history tied to this property. The house embodies a philosophy that values honest construction and craftsmanship, visible in its plain white walls and thoughtfully chosen details that visitors can observe today.
The property is easily accessible from a suburb near Sydney and features informational signs explaining the house's history and significance. Visitors should allow time to explore both the house and garden to fully appreciate the design approach used throughout.
The geometrically designed garden with concentrically arranged citrus trees and a central sundial is one of Wilson's few fully realized works and shows his understanding of Australian gardening. The roof was described by Wilson himself as resembling a Persian rug, with multiple colors and textures, giving artistic meaning to this functional component.
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