A Sustainable Retreat In Queensland Inspired By Classic Glass Houses

Bellbird Retreat by Steendyk is a shining local illustration of what can be achieved in household assignments that place sustainability very first. The humble household in Killarney, Queensland (a modest rural town about 180 kilometres south-west of Brisbane) has taken the architecture environment by storm, successful a number of awards which include at the 2018 Globe Architecture Information (WAN) Awards. ‘All for a little property and a restricted funds,’ suggests architect Brian Steendyk. ‘Just think what we can do with a broader spending plan and brief!’ 

This task began with two ahead-imagining shoppers on the lookout to construct a weekend retreat. Their preferred web page was bushfire susceptible and remote, but with extraordinary views of bordering open up plains. 

Brian noticed an prospect to ‘step up’ in this project, by responding to the setting in a significant and proper way. Sources of inspiration were being Philip Johnson’s 1949 Glass Household in Connecticut, and the 1951 Farnsworth Property in Illinois by Mies Van Der Rohe. A challenge architect on this latter challenge, Myron Goldsmith, was a instructor of Brian’s when finding out in Chicago who motivated his early learnings. ‘Both of these jobs motivated me, specially in regards to the idea of prospect and refuge, which Glenn Murcutt also talks about so eloquently,’ Brian suggests.

Steendyk’s ensuing structure will take the sort of a fortress-like setting up that opens to a light-filled interior designed in collaboration with Embassy Living. At only 67 sq. metres (about the sizing of a modern day two-bed room apartment), the home is compact, however very settled and cozy. ‘There is an relieve of transition from inside of to out which develops an intimacy with the environment and extends the usable dwelling spot,’ suggests Brian. 

In addition to passive design ideas employed for calendar year-spherical comfort and ease, the residence features battery-saved solar energy, a composting toilet, a greywater procedure, and tanks for rainwater harvesting. Potentially the most sustainable function of all, nonetheless, is the home’s sturdy substance palette (brick, concrete, metal roof and glass), built to face up to ember assaults from bushfires and the take a look at of time. Brian points out, ‘Sustainability can be defined in lots of techniques and outside of these critical attributes. In this instance of a site inclined to devastating bushfires, the most noteworthy sustainable effect this dwelling makes is as a new design for fire-resistant dwelling structure.’

Brain rejects the strategy that Bellbird Retreat is a ‘simple’ residence given its dimensions and spot. If just about anything, it is a remarkably complicated project both of those in its thought and execution, proving the unlimited possibilities of sustainable design and style from both equally a customer and architect standpoint.

‘I believe the genuine fantasy is that you want to in some way compromise, or probably pay out added, to accomplish sustainable principles. Neither is appropriate,’ says Brian.

Without a doubt, this is a dwelling that performs on all fronts, created to stand very pleased effectively into the long run. 

This story is portion of our Sustainable Properties sequence, brought to you in partnership with Financial institution Australia.

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