Harry Seidler Designed Synagogue

Photo by Max Dupain

Harry Seidler Designed Synagogue

For some reason the State’s Independent Planning Commission has resisted heritage listing this 1950s Harry Seidler designed synagogue, formerly part of Yeshiva College on Flood Street; and it is now at risk of redevelopment. Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos is doing her best to stop the wrecking ball swinging and there is another application afoot for heritage status. We’ll know if that application has been successful on 5 April.

Public submissions have been overwhelmingly in favour of keeping this groundbreaking barrel-vaulted Bauhaus building that was Seidler’s only religious commission. The late modernist’s widow Penelope Seidler, is in strong favour of preservation and potentially adapting it for use as a “community facility”.