Pettit + Sevitt The Modernist Project with Kathryn Franco and Anthony Burke

Join us for a special evening with Grand Design Australia's Anthony Burke, interviewing author and publisher Kathryn Franco about architecture, design and the story of an Australian mid-century housing icon.

Date: Saturday 12 December

Time: 5-7pm

Location: Bookoccino Bookshop

Tickets: $25 includes welcome drink

The illustrated history of influential Australian project home builder Pettit + Sevitt. 

Founded in Sydney in 1961, Pettit & Sevitt were pioneers of a burgeoning project home industry. Their mission was to make it possible for Australians to buy an architect-designed home at a price they could afford. This became an important modernist movement that shaped how Australians built their homes and thought about design.

Working with five of Australia's most renowned architects including Ken Woolley, Michael Dysart, Russell Jack, Neil Clerehan and Harry Seidler, they created homes that were modular, functional and beautiful in their simplicity.

Pettit & Sevitt display villages became weekend attractions and their houses won numerous architectural awards. They introduced people to the possibility of design as part of everyday life and reflected a growing confidence in Australian domestic architecture. Their houses, and those of their contemporaries, became associated with what would be known as the 'Sydney School', a loosely defined group of architects whose work embraced natural materials, economical spatial planning and responsiveness to Australia's unique landscape.

‘It is timely to bring this to press as we struggle with a housing crisis and what comes next. Pettit & Sevitt The Modernist Project reminds us that the real architectural project, to bring good design to everyone without sacrificing quality, is still possible. These homes celebrated the belief in a ‘good life’ on distinctly Australian terms and showed that, as a country, we can commit to good ideas when we want to.’

Professor Anthony Burke, School of Architecture, University of Technology Sydney Host of ABC TV’s Grand Designs Australia, Restoration Australia and Radio National

‘Superb reportage. Detailed, broad and beautifully illustrated. A fascinating architectural and cultural history.’

Dr Davina Jackson, architectural writer, editor and curator

‘Who would have thought that Pettit & Sevitt inspired Marc Newson, one of the world’s top designers. Kathryn has unearthed profound threads in this Australian housing story. A monumental work of research and an enjoyable read.’

Sam Marshall, Wilkinson Award winning architect, educator and writer

‘Kathryn Franco’s deep understanding of Pettit & Sevitt houses shines through in this meticulously researched book about the designers and builders who changed Sydney’s suburbs forever.’

Julie Power, award winning journalist, Sydney Morning Herald

‘This book beautifully catalogues the ways Pettit & Sevitt designs matched the rising spirit of Australian identity and the increasing understanding of our unique landscape. More than just good houses, they mark a turning point in how we see living in Australia.’

Tone Wheeler, President of the Australian Architecture Association Adjunct Professor, University of NSW, author and commentator

Kathryn Franco is a retail, publishing and digital strategy professional with experience across film, television, editorial and e-commerce. She holds a First Class Honours in Arts from the University of Sydney and an MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management at UNSW. She began her career at Kennedy Miller Film Company, working in post-production and script development, before becoming a researcher and producer for the Nine Network’s Sunday Program. Kathryn later moved into digital publishing leadership roles, overseeing editorial, content and commerce teams across major Australian retail organisations. A Webby Award winner and four-time W3 Award recipient, she supports the development and editorial direction of new Piper Press titles and products.

Anthony Burke

M.S. AAD Columbia University NY, B.Arch (hons 1st) UNSW, FRSN, Hon FRAIA

Anthony Burke is a professor of Architecture at UTS, and award winning expert host of several programs on the ABC including Grand Designs Australia, Restoration Australia, as well as Anthony Burke’s By Design on ABC Radio National. He has over 25 years of experience lecturing, publishing, exhibiting and celebrating the value of good design and architecture around the world.