Craignairn (1909)

37 Burns Road (Corner of Cleveland Street)

Craignairn saved - council and residents win in the Land and Environment Court

“Craignairn” is a listed heritage item under the Ku-Ring-Gai Municipal Council LEP, and is also listed by the National Trust of Australia (NSW). It is an example of what is generally categorised as a “Federation Arts and Crafts” style house. It was designed for Mr. Walter S. Strang by an important exponent of the style, Richard George Howard Joseland, one of the partners of an important early 20th century Sydney architectural practice in the area.

Click on any of the images below for a larger picture.

Craignairn is unique in that its ownership has remained within the same family since its construction.

The house was originally built in brick and stone with timbered gables and stuccoed chimneys; the balconies and roof were originally covered with oak shingles, now replaced with terracotta tiles.

In 1937 the shingle roof caught fire. The house was totally rebuilt within the same year, with only minor alterations to the original design. These alterations were the modernisation of the kitchen, converting the central servants bedroom into another balcony, the conversion of the storeroom into two bedrooms, the conversion of the schoolroom into a bedroom, and the enlargement of the two upstairs bedrooms.

Joseland and Vernon were also commissioned to design the garden of 2.5 acres. In common with a number of other landmark properties in the area the large garden and large setbacks are integral to the original design concept.

In 2001 Craignairn was the subject an attempted SEPP5 development but thanks to the active involvement of many local residents and the council, the property was saved, although not before a lot of time and money was spent at the Land & Environment Court. (Judgement delivered in March 2002)

Read the NSW Land & Environment Court Decision by clicking here