Sydney Edward Cambrian Ancher ARAIA ARIBA (25 February 1904âÂÂ8 December 1979), was an Australian architect from Woollahra, Sydney. His fascination with Europe contributed to the introduction of European internationalism in Australia. He also had a significant impact on the establishment of modern domestic architecture.
Sydney Ancher was the son of New Zealand journalist Edward Albert Ancher and his Australian wife Ethel Puah, née Parsons. He was educated at Mosman Superior Public, North Sydney Boysâ High and Sydney Technical High School.
From 1924 Ancher undertook architectural studies at the Sydney Technical College at night and qualified as an architect in 1929. Ancher was articled to the architect E.W.S. Wakeley between 1924âÂÂ1926 and between 1926âÂÂ1930 gained a range of architectural experiences with Wunderlich Limited and architects Prevost, Synnot & Ruwald, and Ross & Rowe. In 1931 he was awarded the Australian medallion and the Byera Hadley travelling scholarship.
After working with Reginal Prevost (as Prevost & Ancher), Sydney Ancher founded his solo practice in 1946 before co-founding Ancher, Mortlock and Murray with his assistants in 1952.
After retiring in 1965, he dedicated himself to architectural education, receiving the RAIA Gold Medal in 1975 for his efforts.
In 2007 the ACT Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects recognised his legacy with the Sydney Ancher Award as the named award for Residential Architecture, Multiple Housing.
On 26 November 1926 he married Aaletha Ethel Hasemer, a stenographer, at the Presbyterian Church, Mosman, Australia.
Ancher retired in 1966. His wife died in 1970 and he died on 8 December 1979 in hospital at Waratah. He was cremated.