Description

Extended Data

Birth Place

Rozelle, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Biography

Emil Sodersten (1899-1961) studied architecture at Sydney Technical College and attended Professor Leslie Wilkinson’s first design atelier at the University of Sydney. In the 1920s, he worked for Tate and Young on the Manchester Unity Building, then established a private practice in 1925 (age 24). His first buildings included the Tudor and Wall houses in Sydney, St Bedes Church of England in Drummoyne, the Werrington flats at Potts Point and remodelling of cinemas around inner-city suburbs. He and C. Bruce Dellit became known as Sydney’s leading Art Déco architects through their designs for the Anzac War Memorial (1934-Dellit) and the City Mutual Building (1936-Sodersten). In 1927 at age 26, Sodersten won a design competition for the National War Memorial in Canberra. After an outcry among architects, he was required to work jointly with an older architect, John Crust. In 1935, as the popularity of Art Deco began to wane, he travelled overseas and became inspired by the International Modern styling of Dutch architect Willem Dudok (1884-1974). However, his career did not regain traction after the Second World War.Source—Jahn, Graham. 1997. A Guide to Sydney Architecture. Sydney: Watermark Press. Writers: Davina Jackson Date written: 2015 Last updated: 2015

Born

b. 30 August 1899

Summary

Emil Sodersten was one of Sydney's two leading architects of Art Deco buildings during the 1930s – noted especially for apartment buildings around Elizabeth Bay. He also designed interiors and furniture for some of his commissions, including the Australia Hotel and the City Mutual Life Assurance building.

Gender

Male

Died

14-Dec-61

Age at death

62