This superb example of early modernist architecture in Australia offers easy living, space and light throughout the three bedrooms and open living spaces. On the market for the first time, this house was built in the early to mid 1950s, inspired by the designs of Frank Lloyd Wright, and designed and built by Tasmanian civil engineer, Doug Wharmby.
Mr Wharmby designed and managed major infrastructure projects in the state, including the Port Huon Pier and the Huonville Bridge. He planned and supervised the removal of the original floating Hobart Bridge in 1964, overtaken by the newly constructed Tasman Bridge. His house in Rose Bay overlooks the Derwent River and the bridge, and it was from his balcony in 1976 that he watched in horror as the ship Lake Illawarra rammed into the Tasman bridge causing one of Tasmania’s greatest disasters.
Mr Wharmby was also a master builder and draftsman and designed houses in Moonah, Mt Stuart and Lindisfarne. His father and his grandfather had been builders and cabinet-makers, crafting Tasmanian timbers such as Huon Pine, King Billy Pine, Tasmanian Blackwood and Oak. Mr Wharmby built his house on solid rock and was renowned for his aversion to fixing wood with nails, preferring the permanency of screwing together every single joint. The frame is hardwood and interior walls are solid plaster, and although a few small cracks are now appearing, they have needed no repairs in over fifty years.

The family home in Rose Bay was where Mr Wharmby exercised his most contemporary vision; constructing a then state-of-the-art open plan, split level home with all the features of modernism: clean lines, angled roofline, floor to ceiling windows, laminated plastic surfaces (‘Formica’) and wood panelling. He experimented with an aluminium foil roof covering which, along with north-facing windows extending the complete length of the living areas and a sloping ceiling with insulating interior lining panels, fully capitalised on passive solar energy, fifty years before the environment became a major current concern. In the summer, the house design admits cooling sea breezes from the south-facing clerestory windows.

The original garden was sustainable Australiana; native shrubs and bushes open to the street frontage, not a manicured lawn in sight. Later, in retirement, Mr Wharmby built an impressive series of rock terraces in the middle section of the property, planted with vegetables, flowers and natives, attracting wattle birds, magpies, whistlers and rosellas. A large section of land behind the rear workshop was used in the 60s to cultivate fruit trees and vegetables.

Perhaps the most outstanding feature of the house is the relationship between the interior and exterior spaces. The house is constructed in three levels and every room is awash with light, widows framing a view to the exterior gardens. The top level is a tour de force. The floor to ceiling windows open out to a wide balcony from which a spectacular unimpeded 180+ degree panoramic view of the river and suburbs reveals an eternally changing vista. To the south, the Hobart city centre can be seen through the Tasman Bridge; directly across the river, Mt. Wellington dominates the skyline; to the north, Mt. Direction and to the east, tranquil Lindisfarne Bay.

The living room has a large open fireplace and also a wall-mounted heat pump.
The interior garage has a sub-floor pit.
The foundations are built-in with storage shelves.
The backyard workshop is perfect for a home handyman, hobbyist or gardener, or may be converted to a Granny Flat.
Restore, remodel?
There is plenty of scope for remodelling or restoration to a timeless modern home.
The style enthusiast could restore the house’s retro features.
Three bedrooms and a huge block of land make it ideal for a family.
The lower level contains a large laundry/utility room, easily converted to a second bathroom.
The downstairs third bedroom and study were built in during the late 1960s; they could be returned to a large games/recreation room, or converted to an open-plan home business office.
F. Bendrups 2010