Castlecrag, New South Wales

In 1921, Walter Burley Griffin (architect and landscape architect) and Marion Mahony Griffin (architect and artist) began designing Castlecrag[10] a model residential suburb that was sympathetic to the Australian natural environment.[11] Upon arriving in Australia in 1913, Walter Burley Griffin was struck by the natural beauty of the Sydney Harbour, and at the first Australian town planning conference; he emphasised that best planning practice should respect the natural character of the site's landscape.[12] Griffin formed the Greater Sydney Development Association (GSDA) together with several investors (Griffin holding more than 50% of the voting rights). This company purchased and developed Castlecrag with Griffin as managing director/lead planner.[13] Griffin's design for Castlecrag was based on careful planning, respectful of the particular site, and he was dismayed by the layout of Sydney's suburbs, which he considered to be unimaginative (grid plan) and unsympathetic towards the environment.[14] Both Griffin and Mahony Griffin firmly believed that development should not lead to the destruction of natural features.[15] This concept was original for the time and is considered to have been influenced by the Garden City movement.[16]

Also at the heart of the Griffins' vision for Castlecrag was establishing a sense of community and focusing on its needs.[17] The pair believed this could be achieved by encouraging social interaction, providing opportunities for people to contribute to their community and planning many parks and recreational spaces.[17] The Griffins lived in Castlecrag from 1925, and actively participated in the community, planting native trees, landscaping and developing a natural amphitheatre.[18] Marion Mahony Griffin had a passionate interest in the arts and helped instigate the creation of the Haven Scenic Amphitheatre where plays and festivals were held.[19] Community spirit was also fostered through the establishment of groups such as music groups and the Neighbourhood Circle, and through the willingness of residents to help one another in the building of houses.[20]

The roads of Castlecrag were planned to suit the topography of the area; following the natural contours of the land.[21] This contrasted with the grid plan, which was characteristic of many suburbs in Sydney at the time; reflecting the Griffins' belief that the built environment should respect the natural environment.[21] The trees that bordered the roads in Castlecrag were not removed and the roads were barely visible from above.[22] Furthermore, the layout of the streets also provided residents with views of the landscape.[11]

The architects designed reserves that were linked together by a network of walkways, providing the community with ample space for recreation and bushwalking whilst retaining the bushland backdrop.[23] The roads, paths and reserves were diligently planned for the convenience and pleasure of the residents and to retain views.[14] The Griffin's plan involved 20% of the land at Castlecrag being set aside for parkland - considerably more than the amount dictated by Council regulations, 2%.[22]

Before the development of Castlecrag, the peninsula was being stripped of vegetation for firewood, soil and other needs.[24] The Griffins promoted respect for the natural environment by planting and protecting native trees in both public reserves and gardens and by establishing covenants on the land.[25] The covenants placed restrictions on land uses and construction, which enabled the character of the area to be protected.[26] The covenants prevented the creation of buildings that were out of place, impeded views or were too dominant.[27] The covenants also required residents to pay a levy that supported the ongoing maintenance of reserves, tree planting and other activities designed to safeguard the natural environment.[28] Today, the national, state and local governments as well as heritage organisations acknowledge the importance of protecting the built and natural environment at Castlecrag and have established controls over its management and development.[19]

During Castlecrag's early years, houses were either designed by Griffin and Mahony Griffin (fifteen were built) or approved by them.[29] The houses were characterised by concrete block and stone found at the site, material which matched the natural surroundings (three houses were built using knitlock only).[30] The use of these materials facilitated the quick and affordable construction of the houses.[31] The Griffins' designs boasted innovations such as the kitchens' pass-through pantries and twin sinks, the close-to ground floor levels and the picture window.[32]

Some aspects of the Griffins' houses in Castlecrag were unusual and unconventional such as the treatment of stonework, the window details and the flat roofs.[33] Flat roofs were favoured over pitched roofs as they prevented the obstruction of views, provided vantage points where one could experience a view of the landscape and allowed for a rooftop garden.[34] Another atypical feature of the Griffin/Mahony Griffin houses was the unusual location of the kitchens and bathrooms.[35] These rooms were situated at the front of the house even though convention was to have these rooms at the back of the house.[35] The houses were designed in such a way so that the living rooms located at the rear; faced a view or park on the inner side of the allotment.[35] Their houses did not have front fences and built structures were minimal within ten metres of each property.[25] This, in addition to many of the houses being single story and boasting colours of the natural surroundings exemplifies the Griffins' objective which did not involve establishing imposing and artificial built structures, but rather to have the buildings blend in with the environment; retaining the bush setting.[36] Thus, the Griffins' designs were remarkably different from the uniform designs at the time - houses with red, pitched roofs - which Griffin detested.[37]

There has since been development in Castlecrag that has not respected the Griffin ideals.[29] However, the Willoughby City Council is aware of the importance of Castlecrag and has imposed controls over development in the area.[19] The purpose of the controls is to preserve the character of Castlecrag, encouraging the construction of buildings, which respect the original houses designed by Griffin and Mahony Griffin, and the natural landscape.[25]