Architect’s daughter slams ‘tasteless’ TV reno of dad’s house

The daughter of a celebrated Australian architect says her late father would be “appalled” at The Block’s “tasteless” renovation of one of his designs.

The home at 8 Bronte Court, Hampton, is an exact replica of a home in Surrey Hills designed by Neil Clerehan. Picture: Jay Town

Renovation juggernaut The Block has drawn criticism from the daughter of a celebrated Australian architect for its reimagining of a Hampton home based on one of his original designs.

Esther Clerehan, the daughter of Neil Clerehan, made her thoughts on the “tasteless” renovation carried out by the team of Tanya and Vito Guccione on a 1950s style home at 8 Bronte Court on the show.

Ester Clerehan, daughter of architect Neil Clerehan, reacts to the makeover of a home based on a design by her late father.

The original house was an exact replica of a home in Surrey Hills designed by Neil Clerehan.

The design was made available to members of the public via the Small Homes Service, which allowed people to buy affordable off-the-shelf plans for architecturally designed homes in the 1950s and have them built.

The Block makeover of the striking home hit a dud note with Esther.

“Ffs @theblock my late father would be appalled at what you have done to his house. I’d think about blocking you from mentioning his name but you can’t even pronounce it. #NeilClerehan,” she wrote on Twitter.

Tanya and Vito Guccione. Picture: Ian Currie

“Dad would have found the reno tasteless, but he was renowned for his wit and would have probably written a hilarious article about it,” she added via email.

Full of drama and conflict, The Block has been a ratings hit this season.

The houses go to auction next Saturday.