House in Tasmania (Big Red)

House in Tasmania (Big Red) | Hobart, Australia | 2021
[Architect George]

House in Tasmania is a new, small dwelling conceived as a contemporary interpretation of an Australian shack. Inspired by the vernacular of the modest homes that surround the sleepy, coastal site. Two twisted pavilions house two bedrooms and two bathrooms for two very creative clients.

Located on the outskirts of Hobart, the compact house is less than 90m2 and is designed to capitalise on the beautiful site aspects and views. An environmentally sustainable home, the project demonstrates a pared-back, unpretentious architectural approach to deliver a cost-effective outcome.

For the clients, a strong connection to the site was the key requirement for the project. The brief expressed the desire for the home to capture two important views. One toward the distant Kunanyi and the ever-changing weather patterns witnessed across the water. The other view toward the local beach where the clients love to take their dogs for a stroll and a swim.

The planning resolution of the twisted pavilions was a response to these two desired views. A single storey living pavilion houses a modest kitchen, dining and lounge space. The two storey pavilion houses two bedrooms and two bathrooms, allowing separation from sleeping and living functions.

The home is constructed with standard construction techniques and readily available, cost-effective materials. The home showcases a pared-back, unpretentious approach to design. Internally the materials and finishes are modest, but importantly to our client’s taste. OSB flooring is used throughout. Flat pack formply joinery Is used in the kitchen and bathrooms – put together on site by the clients. The home is designed without construction complexity or unnecessary excess.

Other than being connected to town electricity, the new home is self-sufficient. Rainwater tanks collect all potable and not potable water, a septic system is installed on site. The passively designed two-pavilion home creates greater opportunities for access to natural light and cross-ventilation. High-quality insulation and double-glazed windows are used. No artificial heating or cooling is installed.

The project provides wider cultural benefits through championing for low-cost architectural housing.

Client Statement:
“On a purely practical level, this is a financially attainable design that fulfills our everyday needs, and our personal aesthetic. More importantly, the design of this house has meant that there is no separation between our day-to-day life and the local environment. The ability to observe the seasons, the weather, the aurora, and the local species, from every space in the house means that a true sense of place is not only possible, but inevitable. This was our chief desire when planning began – that our home would afford us both shelter and unconstrained connection to place.” Text description by the architects.