Fogl House

In 1968 the Fogls purchased a lot in a recently created subdivision in order to build a new house. According to family tradition as recalled in 2020, Henry Fogl had acquired house plans by US architect Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959), possibly plans for one of Wright’s inexpensive ‘L’-shaped Usonian houses. The Fogls then commissioned a local architect to reinterpret the house plans for the East Lindfield site. As a result, the entrance was sited at the highest point on the block and the house was angled with the slope so that rear-facing rooms and verandah could take advantage of views overlooking Garigal National Park.

The Fogls also commissioned Paul Kafka Exclusive Furniture Pty Ltd to design and construct an extensive array of built-in furniture throughout the house as well as some moveable furniture. The intact built-ins and joinery are a particular feature of the house, still in excellent condition when the house was photographed in April 2020 nearly 50 years after construction. The furnishing textiles and fittings were also mostly unaltered with the exception of the kitchen benchtops which were originally an orange laminate. The house was decorated with art, pottery and crafts from a lifetime of travel. It was kept in immaculate order by the Fogls - except when entertaining guests, the living and dining rooms were off-limits to children and cats at all times.

The house was photographed by Museums of History NSW as it was being prepared for sale, its first ever appearance on the market.

Photographer: Brenton McGeachie Date

Photographed: April 2020

Original image format: born digital

Copyright: Caroline Simpson Collection, Photo © Brenton McGeachie.