The Modernist movement of late 19th century until the mid 20th sought progress in all aspects of human culture and rebelled against the outdated traditions of the past. 

In architecture this meant the rejection of ornament and historical styles, an embracing of modern technology and materials, mixed carefully with a strong awareness of social use. 'Form follows function,' was one of the movement’s strongest mantras. The result was simple, clean-lined buildings with strong geometric shapes, unadorned facades and functional spaces.

Through Rose Seidler House, Harry Seidler abruptly and elegantly brought Modernism ‘down under’ by winning the Sulman Architecture Prize in 1952. The house was modern and looked fabulous in the many magazine spreads, but there was one small drawback. As 'the most talked about house in Sydney' Harry’s parents faced a regular invasion of uninvited visitors who had to glimpse from the outside this 'house of glass and legs' that catapulted Sydney into an international architectural movement.