the Gamaragal people of the Eora nation
New South Wales
GSDA Dwelling No. 1 is of architectural and cultural importance as the Demonstration House designed by Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahoney for their Castlecrag development. Built in 1920/1, it embodies their very advanced ideas for modern living close to nature. The house remained intact until, threatened by development, it was acquired and restored in the 1990s by the Historic Houses Trust and sold on.
A fire in 2024 caused extensive smoke, fire and water damage to a large part of the interior. In close association with the builders, HAA oversaw a careful restoration of the house to save as much as possible of the original interior fabric. This involved addressing high moisture levels, removal of smoke damage and replacing fabric damaged beyond repair. This was achieved combining traditional materials and trades with modern recovery technologies. Restitution after loss, GDSA Dwelling No. 1 is now restored to pristine condition.
