Lipson & Kaad
| Company type | Architectural firm |
|---|---|
| Industry | Architecture |
| Founded | 1930s |
| Founder | Samuel Lipson, Peter Kaad |
| Defunct | 1960s |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
| Products | Architectural design services |
Lipson & Kaad was a Sydney-based architectural firm that operated from the 1930s through to the 1960s. The practice was established by Samuel Lipson (1901–1995) and Peter Kaad (1898–1967). As noted by Rebecca Hawcroft in Migrant architects practising modern architecture, this partnership emerged as one of the leading and most influential architectural firms of its time, responsible for designing numerous significant structures. Both architects were notably inspired by the Amsterdam School, particularly the architectural style of Willem Dudok.
Kaad
Peter Kaad, born on Rotumah Island, received his education at Newington College from 1911 to 1914. He pursued architectural studies at Sydney Technical College and supplemented this with engineering lectures at the University of Sydney, prior to the introduction of formal university architecture programs in Sydney. His early career involved overseeing the construction of CBC Bank branches in rural areas of New South Wales. During the mid-1920s, Kaad contributed to the design of Brisbane City Hall working with Hall & Prentice and collaborated alongside prominent architects such as Bruce Dellit. He was also responsible for designing the opal-adorned 18-carat gold trowel used by Edward, Prince of Wales, during the foundation stone ceremony in 1920. After returning to Sydney, Kaad joined the Commonwealth Works Department and secured third place in the 1929 competition for the Anzac Memorial. Prior to forming his partnership with Lipson, his notable project was the now-demolished Rural Bank building located in Martin Place, Sydney.
Lipson
Samuel Lipson was born in Leeds to Lithuanian Jewish parents. He completed his training at the Glasgow School of Arts and served an apprenticeship with Honeyman and Keppie. Upon arriving in Sydney in 1925, he was introduced to Chief Architect John Smith Murdoch. Initially, Lipson worked under Henry E. White but later transitioned to the Commonwealth Department of Works due to differing architectural styles.
Major work
- Hoffnung & Co (currently known as Red Cross House), Clarence Street, Sydney
- Truth Newspaper Buildings located in Sydney and Melbourne
- Hastings Deering on Crown Street, Woolloomooloo, Sydney
- California Cafe on Macleay Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney
- John Northcott Place in Surry Hills
- The Seabreeze Hotel situated in Blakehurst, Sydney
- Temple Emanuel and Chevra Kadisha in Woollahra, Sydney
- United Carpet Mill based in Five Dock, Sydney
- Sebel Townhouse Hotel at Elizabeth Bay, Sydney
- Israeli Embassy in Canberra
Archive
The State Library of New South Wales holds a comprehensive archive of the firm's drawings, photographs, correspondence, and other memorabilia. Several of their projects were captured through photography by Max Dupain.