Craignairn (1909)

37 Burns Road (Corner of Cleveland Street)

“Craignairn” is an example of what is generally categorised as a “Federation Arts and Crafts” style house.

Craignairn, named after a house in Scotland, is a major domestic architectural work by Howard Joseland. It was built in 1909, and, after a fire in 1937, it was faithfully reconstructed by architect Geoffrey Loveridge. Craignairn is a substantial 2-storey Edwardian house in the Federation/Arts and Crafts style. It is visually remarkable for its attractive face brickwork and dramatic stone dressings. The original owner, Walter Symington Strang, a merchant, and his wife, Evelyn Clara Mills, who founded the first woman’s Missionary Association and was a prominent member of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, were instrumental in establishing the St John’s Church, Wahroonga. Later family owners extended kitchen gardens to the south of the house (now subdivided by the original family in 2003). The produce from these gardens supplied Neringah Hospital, in Wahroonga, during WWII. The property has gone through extensive restoration by the current owners since 2007.

Craignairn ownership remained within the same family from 1909 to 2003.

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 for 21 apartments 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)

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