Paspaley House at 26 Myilly Terrace, Larrakeyah was commissioned by the Paspaley family and designed by Harry Seidler, Australia's most celebrated modernist architect.
The commission came about in an appropriately casual way: Seidler and his wife Penelope met the Paspaleys at Darwin Airport in 1958 while passing through in transit to Japan. The house was completed in 1959.
The design shows Seidler applying modernist principles to one of Australia's most demanding climates, with a parasol roof ventilated above the ceiling plane, a single-loaded plan that allows cross ventilation through the full depth of the house, and deep masonry walls that protect glazing and interior surfaces from heat gain.
All aluminium roof sheeting, window joinery, interior joinery and furniture were fabricated in Sydney and shipped to Darwin by coastal steamer, reflecting the remoteness of the Territory at the time.
The house is a rare example of internationally significant modernist residential architecture in Darwin, and one of the few buildings in the Top End designed by a major southern practice working at the height of their powers.
David Bridgman’s book, ‘Acclimatisation’ has a wonderful written description of this house as well as featuring Seidler’s original drawings.
Heritage Status: Not Listed.