Mirrabooka at Castle Hill, designed by Bruce Rickard, listed for the first time
Mirrabooka, the 1960's Castle Hill home designed and built by the renowned 20th century architect Bruce Rickard, has been listed for sale for the first time since its construction around six decades ago.
The Old Northern Road home features Rickard's trademark use of Sydney sandstone, Australian timbers, copper, concrete and the extensive use of glass.
The master builder Don Fraser is said to have lived on site for 18 months during construction.
Set on over two hectares, Mirrabooka is also known by many as the Reid House.
The home was built for passionate gardeners John and Judy Reid, with the garden being on the State Heritage Register. John was the managing director of a construction and supply company.
The home and garden is of state heritage significance, according to the NSW Environment Heritage Register, for its importance to the cultural history of New South Wales as an outstanding example of the work of architect Bruce Rickard, renowned as an Australian practitioner and interpreter of "Organic Modernism" in the manner of Frank Lloyd Wright.
"Mirrabooka and its garden is a residence and setting of distinction with few rivals as both an individual exemplar of its architectural style, and a representative of its genre," the NSW Office of Environment & Heritage states.
Reid played a part in its innovative construction, with the post-tensioning of the cantilevered deck using a procedure created by Reid and not previously used in domestic construction in New South Wales.
The home is accessed on stepping stones, over a koi carp pool, past a waterfall and through a Japanese garden to the front door.
The open plan living spaces feature clerestory windows and a stone fireplace.
Glass doors connect the living spaces to the enormous cantilevered and elevated balcony which provides views over the gardens.
A saltwater pool sits in the surrounding gardens. Near the boundary of the property are two small dams including a natural spring. They sit on part of the property that is not State Heritage listed.
Sydney Sotheby's agent Harriet France has a guide of $5.5 million.
"This property will appeal to fans of mid-century architecture, bird lovers, plant lovers and those wanting to escape the city and work from home in tranquil surroundings," the marketing reads.