Architecture
Solid as a Rock: 200 Years of Sandstone in Australian Architecture
From worker's cottages to contemporary houses, sandstone is an important part of Australia's architectural heritage
Sandstone has been the building block of Australian architecture for more than two centuries. It is much-loved for creating beautiful facades in creamy rose and golden hues as well as having the strength and durability to outlast many other construction materials. While sandstone does require some maintenance – it can be prone to rising or falling damp or drainage problems – it will continue to hold great appeal for its charm and character as long as it is properly looked after.
Sandstone serves as the foundation of many heritage villas and cottages as well as contemporary houses across Australia. Read on for the lowdown on sandstone, its history and material benefits, as well as to view some fine examples of sandstone houses that have and will continue to stand the test of time.
Sandstone serves as the foundation of many heritage villas and cottages as well as contemporary houses across Australia. Read on for the lowdown on sandstone, its history and material benefits, as well as to view some fine examples of sandstone houses that have and will continue to stand the test of time.
THE HISTORY OF SANDSTONE IN AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTURE
Sandstone has a history as rich and golden as its colour. Some of the first convicts to arrive in Australia hewed sandstone (then known as Yellow Block) to build simple housing for themselves and others. Builders and homeowners considered sandstone to be a valuable building material for walls, and as Australia’s cities developed and spread, sandstone villas and cottages popped up across the country (Hobart is pictured). In many of these areas, such as Balmain and Hunters Hill in Sydney, sandstone was readily available and virtually quarried on site.
The gold rush in the 1850s saw a building boom and an influx of skilled stonemasons who turned their talents to civic buildings. By the time of federation in 1901, sandstone buildings for commerce and trade were an expression of the new nation’s confidence and independence.
Sandstone has a history as rich and golden as its colour. Some of the first convicts to arrive in Australia hewed sandstone (then known as Yellow Block) to build simple housing for themselves and others. Builders and homeowners considered sandstone to be a valuable building material for walls, and as Australia’s cities developed and spread, sandstone villas and cottages popped up across the country (Hobart is pictured). In many of these areas, such as Balmain and Hunters Hill in Sydney, sandstone was readily available and virtually quarried on site.
The gold rush in the 1850s saw a building boom and an influx of skilled stonemasons who turned their talents to civic buildings. By the time of federation in 1901, sandstone buildings for commerce and trade were an expression of the new nation’s confidence and independence.
However, come post-World War II, sandstone fell from favour as architects looked to the glass, concrete and steel skyscrapers of the United States. Many sandstone buildings were demolished in the decades to come until the conservation movement emerged in the 1970s, which recognised the significance of sandstone in Australia’s heritage.
Sandstone regained its popularity in domestic housing with the move back into the inner city suburbs when humble worker’s cottages, historic brick villas and Victorian terraces once again became covetable residences. Architects also took to sandstone again for use in contemporary architecture as it serves – as it always has – as both a luxury and useful building material for front walls, paving, pillars, pool surrounds, foundation levels and structural walls.
Sandstone regained its popularity in domestic housing with the move back into the inner city suburbs when humble worker’s cottages, historic brick villas and Victorian terraces once again became covetable residences. Architects also took to sandstone again for use in contemporary architecture as it serves – as it always has – as both a luxury and useful building material for front walls, paving, pillars, pool surrounds, foundation levels and structural walls.
THE BENEFITS OF SANDSTONE IN ARCHITECTURE
Sandstone is recognised for its natural strength, durability, load-bearing ability, and slip-resistant nature. Being extremely resilient, sandstone withstands the harsh Australian climate and is one of the very few building products that increases both in value and aesthetic appeal over time. Additionally, sandstone is a good insulator to keep homes cool in summer and warm in winter.
Sandstone is recognised for its natural strength, durability, load-bearing ability, and slip-resistant nature. Being extremely resilient, sandstone withstands the harsh Australian climate and is one of the very few building products that increases both in value and aesthetic appeal over time. Additionally, sandstone is a good insulator to keep homes cool in summer and warm in winter.
EXAMPLES OF SANDSTONE ARCHITECTURE
Historic sandstone villas
Sandstone often appeared either as rough and irregular stones (pictured here) or as smooth and properly cut blocks (as in the next image).
Many worker’s cottages in the 1800s (like this one from the 1880s) were made from sandstone rubble – small, irregularly shaped stones or lumps. The bigger, smoother blocks were properly and finely cut stones and, being more expensive, predominantly used in larger houses.
Historic sandstone villas
Sandstone often appeared either as rough and irregular stones (pictured here) or as smooth and properly cut blocks (as in the next image).
Many worker’s cottages in the 1800s (like this one from the 1880s) were made from sandstone rubble – small, irregularly shaped stones or lumps. The bigger, smoother blocks were properly and finely cut stones and, being more expensive, predominantly used in larger houses.
This sandstone and red brick villa may have been the home of a fairly well-to-do owner back at the turn of the 19th century. A brick house cost a lot more than a stone house in the 1800s as the need for manufacture, transport and bricklaying made bricks more expensive. Thus, brick was often used sparingly and in conjunction with another material, such as sandstone. As seen here, brick was used decoratively at the corners of the walls and around openings to finish sandstone walls.
Bricks became cheaper than stone in the 1900s and sandstone became a luxury reserved for the front of the house. Builders used sandstone only for the facade or street-facing walls of the house and bricks along the sides and back of the house.
This renovation also involved an existing heritage-listed residence from 1906. While sandstone only forms the exterior of the ground level of the house, the play of materials, colours, and textures make for a fun and interesting composition.
Contemporary sandstone architecture
This holiday house on Sydney’s Northern Beaches has a ground level enclosed by heavy sandstone walls. It provides a solid and almost traditional base for a glass-filled contemporary structure.
This holiday house on Sydney’s Northern Beaches has a ground level enclosed by heavy sandstone walls. It provides a solid and almost traditional base for a glass-filled contemporary structure.
This contemporary house has sandstone bricks and quoins (cornerstones) that flow from the exterior to interior structure. The look and feel is cool and calming while also being warm and inviting. A mixture of rough hewn and smooth polished bricks have a creamy colour with beautiful rose and orange striations.
Sydney and Gosford sandstone has been used in this Melbourne home. The mixture of materials – sandstone, wood and render – and the variety of finishes adds to the texture and detail of the project.
Of course, sandstone works beautifully in any waterside property as its colour can be reminiscent of Australia’s sandy beaches. Here, the curving sandstone walls of the house mimic the sandstone wall around the harbour, forming a great visual connection between land and house.
TELL US
If you have a sandstone house or have used the stone in your home design, send in a picture or share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
Sandstone in Your Way? Make the Most of It With These Rock-Solid Ideas
Roots of Style: How Did Your Australian Home Get Its Look?
Warm Up Your House With Materials Provided by Mother Nature
TELL US
If you have a sandstone house or have used the stone in your home design, send in a picture or share your thoughts in the Comments.
MORE
Sandstone in Your Way? Make the Most of It With These Rock-Solid Ideas
Roots of Style: How Did Your Australian Home Get Its Look?
Warm Up Your House With Materials Provided by Mother Nature
Sandstone is one of the most common types of sedimentary rock composed of sand-sized grains of mineral (often significant amounts of quartz), rock or organic material bound together with silica, clay, calcium carbonate and iron oxide.
Sandstone is named for its sand-sized grains rather than the material of which it consists, and is typically light coloured in off-whites, creams, pale pinks and browns. Stronger colours come about from iron oxide, giving rise to banding and wavy patterns.