PHOTOGRAPH (DIGITAL): GRUNDMANN HOUSE, SMYTH AND ONSLOW ROAD, SHENTON PARK, 2010

The Grundmann family home which reflects aspects of European Chalet architecture was designed and built by Albert Emil Paul Grundmann over a number of years. It has been continuously occupied by the family through four generations.
The documentary evidence indicates that this place was constructed in c.1930 for the owner, Albert Grundmann. As Albert and his father, Wilhelm, were both builders, while his brother-in-law, Victor Hofmaster, was a carpenter, it is assumed that the house was built by the extended Grundmann family.
345 Onslow Road was a very prominent and relatively grand residence, particularly when compared to the modest timber houses along the adjacent section of Smyth Road, where Albert had lived as a young man – and it would have stood as a testimony to the Grundmann family’s abilities as local builders. It may also have been a great source of family pride, following their difficult years as Australian’s of German decent during and immediately after World War One. During that period Wilhelm was interred for three years as an ‘enemy alien’, spending this time in a NSW internment camp. Like many other long-term Australian residents of German birth this related to government and community fears of split loyalties, rather than any evidence of enemy sympathies or actions.
The house was originally occupied by Albert, his sister, Alma, and brother-in-law, Victor, but became Albert’s family home following his marriage to Honor Woodhouse in 1932. Following Albert’s death in 1958 ownership of the property was transferred to his wife and their two sons, Paul and Leonard. Following Honor’s death in 1969 it was occupied as the family home of Paul and Lexie Grundmann and has continued to be occupied by members of the Grundmann family until the present day.