Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Sunday, Jun 01, 2025

An Australian Architect’s Dazzling Interpretation of Prairie Style Lists for the First Time

An Australian Architect’s Dazzling Interpretation of Prairie Style Lists for the First Time

Built in the 1960s and now asking $4.2M, the Frank Lloyd Wright–inspired Mirrabooka House sits on five acres of magnificent gardens.

Sydney-born architect and landscape designer Bruce Rickard was once described as "the Frank Lloyd Wright of Australian architecture." While certainly inspired by Wright-whom he first studied at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1950s-Rickard also used his formal training of both indoor and outdoor plans to harmoniously adapt Wrightsonian ideas to Australia’s native landscape and climate. An exceptional example of these dual talents is the Mirrabooka House, originally built in the early 1960s and now on the market for the first time since its construction.



The Mirrabooka House by Bruce Rickard sits on a lush, five-acre plot in the community of Castle Hill, about 18 miles northwest of Sydney. The structure’s design-which spreads broadly across the site-is reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie-style homes.



Inside, Wright's influence continues with details such as the prominent hearth and fireplace, as well as the use of organic materials and built-ins throughout. The home is also heavily integrated with the site, and benefits from ample natural light and a harmonious indoor/outdoor flow.

The homeowner’s extensive knowledge of native and exotic plants influenced the structure’s integration with the site and the impressive gardens-both of which were recently designated a State Heritage Site by New South Wales. The close interconnection of the home with the land is demonstrated by the picturesque entry sequence, which features stepping stones over a koi pond that lead to the front door.



A skylight above the fireplace casts sunlight onto the stacked stone fireplace. A raised dining area is located to the right, while a playroom and the kitchen are both accessible on the left.



The expansive living room extends to a sitting area. Three walls of windows and sliding glass doors provide views of the backyard pool and patio.

Other details inside and out include Rickard’s trademark uses of local sandstone and timber cladding, as well as copper roof trim, concrete floors, and extensive glass. The home builder reportedly lived on-site for 18 months during the original construction.



Located at the end of a long hallway of bedrooms, the principal suite features walls clad in stacked stone and brick, along with numerous windows overlooking the surrounding treetops.



The en suite bathroom features a tiled vanity and sink as well as original cabinetry, and provides direct access to the private terrace.

The home’s five bedrooms, three full bathrooms, and home office all overlook the jungle-like surroundings. And while the site feels remote, local metro stations are just a five-minute drive away. Keep scrolling to see more of the property, currently listed for AUD 5,500,000 (approximately $4,160,000).



A large, cantilevered balcony wraps around the living area and provides ample outdoor space for entertaining, as well as sunset views over the five-acre plot and an adjacent community park.



Stepping stones lead over a koi pond, past a waterfall, and through a Japanese-style garden to the front door.



A brick patio and saltwater pool are located along another side of the home, with steps leading down to the surrounding gardens.



An aerial view provides a perspective of the garden plan in relationship to the structure.



The floor plan and site plan reveal the home’s position within the five-acre plot. The 1.75 acres of gardens and the structure itself are listed as a State Heritage Site.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
UAE Offers Free ChatGPT Plus Subscriptions to Citizens
Lebanon Initiates Plan to Disarm Palestinian Factions
Iran and U.S. Make Limited Progress in Nuclear Talks
The Daily Debate: The Fall of the Dollar — Strategic Reset or Economic Self-Destruction?
Trump Administration's Tariff Policies and Dollar Strategy Spark Global Economic Debate
OpenAI Acquires Jony Ive’s Startup for $6.5 Billion to Build a Revolutionary “Third Core Device”
Turkey Weighs Citizens in Public as Erdoğan Launches National Slimming Campaign
Saudi-Spanish Business Forum Commences in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia and Spain Sign MoU to Boost SME Sectors
UK Suspends Trade Talks with Israel Amid Gaza Offensive
Iran and U.S. Set for Fifth Round of Nuclear Talks Amid Rising Tensions
Russia Expands Military Presence Near Finland Amid Rising Tensions
Indian Scholar Arrested in Crackdown Over Pakistan Conflict Commentary
Israel Eases Gaza Blockade Amid Internal Dispute Over Military Strategy
President Biden’s announcement of advanced prostate cancer sparked public sympathy—but behind closed doors, Democrats are in panic
A Chinese company made solar tiles that look way nicer than regular panels!
Indian jet shootdown: the all-robot legion behind China’s PL-15E missiles
The Chinese Dragon: The True Winner in the India-Pakistan Clash
Australia's Venomous Creatures Contribute to Life-Saving Antivenom Programme
The Spanish Were Right: Long Working Hours Harm Brain Function
Did Former FBI Director Call for Violence Against Trump? Instagram Post Sparks Uproar
US and UAE Partner to Develop Massive AI Data Center Complex
Apple's $95 Million Siri Settlement: Eligible Users Have Until July 2 to File Claims
US and UAE Reach Preliminary Agreement on Nvidia AI Chip Imports
President Trump and Elon Musk Welcomed by Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim with Cybertruck Convoy
Strong Warning Issued: Do Not Use General Chatbots for Medical, Legal, or Educational Guidance
Saudi Arabia Emerges as Global Tech Magnet with U.S. Backing and Trump’s Visit
This was President's departure from Saudi Arabia. The Crown Prince personally escorted him back to the airport.
NVIDIA and Saudi Arabia Launch Strategic Partnership to Establish AI Centers
Trump Meets Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara in Historic Encounter
Trump takes a blow torch to the neocons and interventionists while speaking to the Saudis
US and Saudi Arabia Sign Landmark Agreements Across Multiple Sectors
Why Saudi Arabia Rolled Out a Purple Carpet for Donald Trump Instead of Red
Elon Musk Joins Trump Meeting in Saudi Arabia
Trump says it would be 'stupid' not to accept gift of Qatari plane
Quantum Computing Threatens Bitcoin Security
Michael Jordan to Serve as Analyst for NBA Games
×