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1. This house should not be demolished. The house should be conserved because of its architectural and heritage significance. It is significant because of its modular modernist design by architect Sydney Ancher and is a rare and important example of post WW2 Sydney suburban modernism.

2. This is the work of one of Australia's most significant 20th Century Architects who was one of the pioneers of Modernism in this country. The work of Syd Ancher, like Harry Seidler should be viewed in the same way that we view the iconic artists of the period.

3. This is the work of one of Australia's most significant 20th Century Architects who was one of the pioneers of Modernism in this country. The work of Syd Ancher, like Harry Seidler should be viewed in the same way that we view the iconic artists of the period.

   Hope you don't mind me borrowing your comment Tim Ross!

4. Dear Councilors, officers and developers
   Please receive my objection to the demolition of this very important dwelling and associated buildings and grounds.
   My name is Dr Billy Gruner and I work in the area of Architectural history and preservation. It is my considered opinion that the demolition of any Sydney Anchor building is a major breach of a range of cultural conventions, morays and flies in the face of the current upsurge in sensible preservation of the existing fabric of homes of architectural merit in Australia. They are worth far more as they are going forward than some dreadful development.
   In recent times there has been a significant upsurge in the demolition of significant mid century properties by developers looking for prime land close to Sydney cbd. The target buyer of the developers commonly is foreign investors looking to sink large amounts of untraceable funds, this is occurring because the law states they can only buy into new build.
   Irrespective of that scourge, the wanton destruction of a building by Sydney Anchor one of Australia's most important architects by ant council and developer literally beggars belief.
   The AIA of architects can supply your heritage officer with any and all information about Anchor, and his tantamount place in story of Australian cultural life. The building itself is listed with them, as it should. Please note, recently the National Trust and Heritage Council awarded the first prize to the restoration of another home designed by well know north shore architect Nino Sydney, that was for the restoration and preservation of the existing building, that building is now a treasure of the community, the country and internationally. Another of his was however just knocked down by a foreign investor in Carlingford, shameful.
   I feel its high time councils took advise from those who can best inform them of which domestic sites from the mid century stock in particular really matter and begin seriously fighting to protect them from callous disrespectful development for financial gain at best.
   The Nino Sydney 'Beachcomber House' award actually gives heritage officers official precedence to argue in the courts. It is now time to stop such idiotic developments granted at the expense of our dwindling cultural gems.
   In brief to knock down a Sydney Anchor is like demolishing a Frank Lloyd Wright, please note I intend to spread this as far and wide through social media. This will undoubtedly prove to be a test case if it is allowed to go ahead through local planning and should be stopped immediately.

5. Please save this significant house

6. Dear Council

   Please take the time to consider the importance of this house. It is a significant example of Australian modernism. Sydney Archer's architecture is compared to that of Frank Lloyd Wright. No one would consider demolishing one of his buildings!

   Unfortunately, due to the lack of vision of developers and the wider community, we will have very little left. Make a difference, say no. Preserve our history for future generations to enjoy. Make a courageous decision like other councils have to preserve the integrity of the area.

7. Please do not demolish this house.

8. Disgraceful. Architectural history being sacrificed for the almighty dollar. Replaced by another ugly and poorly thought out building. Who cares? Council to cash in on bonus additional rate payers.

9. This building should not be demolished. It is architecturally and historically important.

10. Dear Ku-ring-gai Council Heritage Planners

    From your own website regarding Heritage Items I quote:

    "Heritage consists of those places and objects, including houses, public and commercial buildings, parks and monuments, that we as a community have inherited from the past and want to hand on to future generations. Our heritage gives us a sense of living history and provides a physical link to the work and way of life of earlier generations. It enriches our lives and helps us to understand who we are today.
    In a planning context, heritage refers to things in our built and natural environment that we want to conserve for future generations to enjoy."

    I would like to add my concerns as to this application, and would seek answers to the following questions:

    Does Council's Heritage Planners seriously consider this Sydney Ancher designed property as not meeting any of the above criteria for the local community?
    Has Council's Heritage Planners been satisfied that the corpus of Sydney Ancher's work has been sufficiently documented, and this fine post war austerity dwelling is of such insignificance that permission to demolish it is of no importance?
    Has in fact Council actually made investigations and delivered its assessment as to this property's cultural and heritage value to the built environment?
    Will Ku-ring-gai Council's Heritage Planners be able to replicate the fine work of Penrith City Council, which retained their Ancher property for the benefit of the local and wider community?

    Until Council can answer these to the satisfaction of the heritage community, an IHO must be placed on the property at 64 Merivale Road Pymble and demolition not approved.

11. This is an important and significant house that should not be demolished. Please have the foresight to stop the demolition and give someone the opportunity to embrace it, rescue it and sympathetically restore it - and watch it become a warm and inviting home - not some cookie cutter project. We don't need more new homes when we have perfectly usable ones still standing.

12. This is an important and significant house with significant cultural value. Has Council actually made investigations and delivered its assessment as to this property's cultural and heritage value to the built environment? This property should not be demolished.

13. Please do not allow the demolition of this house. We are sadly loosing too many beautifully architecturally designed house that are replaced with concrete soulless boxes.

14. I should initially declare my hand. I am Sydney Ancher's son, also an architect, and a former lecturer in Architectural History and Theory in the University of Tasmania's School of Architecture. It is from the latter perspective that I present the case against demolition of this house at 64 Merrivale Road, Pymble.

    The argument has been made by many here in their responses to Council that Sydney Ancher was a highly significant post WW2 Australian architect. Some have compared the importance of his influence to Harry Seidler and during the 1950s until his retirement in the late 1960s that is an accurate assessment of Ancher's status in the architectural profession (supported by the famous architectural commentator Robin Boyd in his book 'Australian Ugliness'). His reputation as an influential Australian modernist architect extended nationwide.

    I draw your attention to the 1947 court case involving Ancher's Curl Curl Farley House, Farley v Warringah Council. The Council argued that the house's flat roof and low bunker-like form was reminiscent of a gun emplacement and that on aesthetic grounds its design should be rejected. Expert witnesses for the client spoke of architectural modernism known as 'the International Style', how the Ancher building referred to this way of designing current in Europe and America, but as an Australian interpretation. The court found in favour of the client. This landmark case had the effect of peeling the scales from the eyes of conservative local government authorities throughout Australia. The flat roof was officially declared a viable design option from that point on.

    I am not suggesting that 64 Merrivale Road is a house of landmark significance in the manner of the Farley House. However it is one of the remaining North Shore houses designed by Sydney Ancher. Several have been demolished including a master work in Killeton Avenue, St Ives built for the English Family around 1950. The famous cluster of four Ancher houses in Maytone Avenue, Killara, including a Sulman Award winning design, is still in tact. In the future, it is not difficult to imagine that students of architecture and interested members of the community alike might visit Maytone Avenue to inspect that nest of surviving Ancher houses. Such groups should then have the chance to go on to other surviving houses by the same architect nearby because there are still a few left between Turramurra and Lindfield including the house in question at 64 Merriville Road, Pymble.

    I ask that the aldermen of Ku-ring-gai Council consider the application to demolish this Ancher house from a cultural perspective so that short term economic gain is not the determining issue. The building should be saved and in the hands of the right owners, conserved. Council can't contrive fairytale solutions but it can give direction and support to interested parties prepared to take on heritage challenges of this type. It is well known in architectural circles that the house at 64 Merrivale Road is in the awkward period of preservation awareness, hardly functional by today's standards and in need of extensive renovation but not quite old enough to exert its right for survival as an historical icon.

    The bottom line: the Ku-ring-gai Municipality will undoubtedly benefit in the long term if 64 Merrivalle Road is not demolished.

15. Please do not allow this house to be demolished.

16. For all the reasons clearly and eloquently explained above, please do not allow the demolition of this property. A longer term vision must be applied.

17. Sydney Ancher's work is currently under threat within NSW and ACT and its importance is not fully understood.
    Working as a post war architect Sydney Ancher inspired by the modernist movement in Europe brought new design ideas to Australia and developed the early beginnings of modern Australia Architecture.
    He was just one of a few dedicated modernists and proud Australians who attempted to design with an Australian style. His buildings are an historic legacy that should not only appear in print but in reality so that students of Architecture can fully understand our built heritage.
    He was very influential guiding younger Architects who moved through or joined his Sydney practice 'Ancher, Mortlock, Murray and Woolley.
    Council don't destroy your built modernist heritage for future generations.
    (I am Sydney Ancher's daughter in law.)

18. There is cultural and historical significance attached to this property as clearly demonstrated by the responses voluntarily made to the suggestion of its demolition. Council should recognise the importance of such responses and ensure the building is preserved.

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