Kolman House
Architect
George Reves
Designed and Built
1961 – 1964
Cabinetry
M. Gerstl Furniture
Photography
© Aimee Crouch
Videography
© Luke Murphy
Location
Killara, Upper North Shore, Sydney
Specification
4 bed, 3.5 bath, 4 car, family + study + pool
Program
Single level living wing connected to double-storey private wing by covered walkway
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Introduction
Tucked at the end of a quiet Killara cul-de-sac, this 1961 residence is a rare mid-century modern gem. Designed by Hungarian-Australian architect George Revesz, and only recently reattributed to him. The home reveals its pedigree through craftsmanship of delightful surprise, balancing modernist functionality and the warmth of a social family home.
At its centre, a light-filled living room opens to the garden through full-height glazing. Revesz’s European training is evident in the home’s precise detailing: clean angular lines; bespoke timber joinery; sliding timber doors that disappear seamlessly into walls; and angled eaves for soft morning sun and protection from afternoon heat.
This is architecture of quiet conviction. A study in texture and light, where the rhythm of the day is felt through the shifting sun pooling, every hour bringing a new expression of the day. Presenting a rare opportunity to inhabit previously unrecognised architecture that is modern in functionality, whilst deeply humane in warmth.
“A superb example of European-influenced post-war Australian Modernism, with original cabinetry by M. Gerstl Furniture.”
The Design
Upon approach the modernist flat roofline of number 4 Clarence Avenue, the angled setback, and controlled palette of materials, signal the humanist clarity and quiet determination of post-war modernism. Modest from the outside, the home gradually reveals a sequence of richly considered, light-filled interiors, and grounding textures.
Entry is through the double carport, into an informal cut-out courtyard, a subtle threshold that frames sky and garden, offering a moment of reprise. The main door opens into the social heart of the home, an interconnected series of living, dining, kitchen, and study spaces that pivot around a generous lounge area.
The living space extends northeast to the garden, its full-height glazing drawing the outside in. Views stretch across the lawn to the pool and the treetops beyond, with sculptural eaves – distinctively Revesz – regulating light and shade throughout the day. The orientation supports passive temperature control by capturing winter sun and shading from summer heat, while allowing sunrays to mark the day’s passage.
The generous living space features a custom-built bar, crafted in warm timber by M Gerstl furniture makers. This space exudes quiet confidence, its material palette tactile and calming. Sliding timber doors enable extension into or separation from the neighbouring sitting room and dining, enabling flexible transformations from intimate living to large gatherings.
The kitchen and laundry have been sympathetically updated to retain the home’s original rhythm, with minimal overhead cabinetry allowing natural light to flood in through broad south-western windows. A marble countertop, tall rear shelving, and integrated wall oven provide function without clutter.
Throughout the home, sliding timber doors pocket cleanly into walls, enabling uninterrupted movement. Spatial shifts are indicated by changes in flooring: new carpet in the living room gives way to timber in the dining area, and soft original carpet underfoot in the bedrooms. These subtle transitions express a quiet distinction between public and private zones.
From the rear garden, the home’s composition is most clearly read as two distinct volumes of living and retreat, connected by a glazed walkway that encloses an internal garden atrium against the dining room. The gently sloped passage to the private wing is softened underfoot by the original carpet of a gentle golden hue, impeccably maintained. Guided by less frequent windows offering direction, a sensuously intimate and harmonious experience is crafted. Through the ‘bourgeois urban’ integration of traditional craftsmanship into the clean lines of Sydney’s post-war continental style, Revesz’s design is a beautifully sensitive response to Killara’s natural and built heritage.
The bedrooms withdraw from the communal core, each capturing a unique external view: treetop wildlife, garden shadows, a dialogue between architecture and landscape. The largest room offers a large walk-in robe and private access to the shared bathroom.
Outside, a lower garden firepit anchors the rear of the site, a final gesture that grounds the home in warmth and ritual. Revesz’s European training is felt in every detail, minimalist yet expressive, functional yet deeply humane. This is a home that rewards quiet attention, a rare architectural work quietly embedded in Killara’s established landscape.
Specifications
Address
4 Clarence Ave, Killara NSW 2071
Specifications
4 bed, 3.5 bath, 4 car, family + study + 10m x 3m salt water pool
Approx. gross internal area
280 sq m (3,014 sq ft) (excluding under-house store)
Approx. gross land area:
1,144 sq m (12,314 sq ft)
Floor Plan
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For Sale by Auction
Open House
Saturday & Wednesday
10.00am – 10.45am
We look forward to welcoming you to the house
Co-Agents:
Chantal Hooper, 0404 340 585
Marcus Lloyd-Jones, 0424 00 55 31
Location
Nestled in the leafy suburb of Killara, 4 Clarence Avenue enjoys a truly enviable location. Situated on a quiet cul-de-sac with no through traffic, it offers a rare level of peace and serenity both day and night — perfect for families and professionals seeking a calm retreat. Despite its tranquillity, the property remains highly convenient, with Killara Station just a short 5-minute walk away and Sydney’s CBD is accessible in approx. 25 minutes by car.
Major shopping hubs like Chatswood Chase and Macquarie Centre are easily reachable, offering extensive retail, dining, and entertainment options. Families will appreciate the proximity to prestigious public and private schools such as Killara High School, PLC and Knox. For leisure, numerous local parks and ovals are nearby, including Killara Park and Greengate Park, ideal for weekend activities and picnics. And for keen golfers, Killara Golf Club is just a few minutes drive away, as are Killara Lawn Tennis Club and Killara Cricket Club.
Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy being within comfortable driving distance of beautiful northern beaches like Dee Why and Freshwater, as well as the stunning Garigal National Park for hiking and nature walks. Additionally, some excellent local cafes and restaurants are within walking distance, including the popular Cafe Lyon, Kiplings Garage Bar, and The Runaway Spoon — all praised for their quality food and welcoming atmospheres.
4 Clarence Avenue offers the perfect balance between serene suburban living and convenient urban access, making it an outstanding choice for a relaxed yet connected lifestyle.
Architect
There is little known about George Revesz (1910-2004) despite his notable contribution to Australia’s architectural history. As part the a wave of emigrant architects, Revesz was instrumental in the uptake of modernism in Sydney.
Born in Budapest, Revesz graduated from the Royal Joseph Technical University before finding mentorship under the modernist architect Auguste Perret in Paris. Revesz returned to Budapest in 1934 to establish his own practice, ultimately fleeing Vienna following the German annexation of Austria, arriving in Sydney in 1939.
Here, he worked with James Hardie during the war, where he adjusted to the architectural requirements of the Australian climate. Registering as a licensed architect in 1945 and partnering with Charles Hayes they opened their Pitt St office practice, Reves & Hayes, where he adopted a westernised appropriation of his name. His own residential practice drew on his extensive contacts in Sydney’s émigré community including the likes of Gabor Lukacs, Laszlo and Magda Schwartz, and furniture-maker Michael Gerstl.
Revesz’s design philosophy was steeped in Hungarian folk romanticism and the Bauhaus training he received while studying under Ivan Kotsis at the Budapest Technical University. The recurrence of broad ‘V’ angling, organic idiosyncratic eaves, and bespoke M Gerstl furnishings result in an acutely distinct style. His buildings featured in Architecture in Australia and Decoration & Glass, including the celebrated Schwartz House in Rose Bay, Trelawney Court in Woollahra, and 55 Drumalbyn Road in Bellevue Hill.
Retiring in 1980, his underrepresented legacy endures as a testament to architecture that balances the modern with the humane.
For Sale by Auction
Open House
Saturday & Wednesday
10.00am – 10.45am
We look forward to welcoming you to the house
Co-Agents:
Chantal Hooper, 0404 340 585
Marcus Lloyd-Jones, 0424 00 55 31