The Scott Creek project is a considered minimalist barn-form inspired by its beautiful hillside surroundings.
The home was sensitively designed to complement the natural sloping land and maximise of the views to the north and west and intended as a true ‘off the grid’ weekender for the family.
The Barn design brief is a considered both practical and functional. The ground floor hosts the open plan kitchen and living area with views over the tree tops and valley. The tones from the grey and green cabinetry and grey polished concrete floors create a cosy and familiar feel. Bench seating along the western window elevation provides for an interaction with the external views. Two bedrooms are and main bathroom are located at the end of the lower level together with their separate side access to the outdoors. The second floor provides an area for seclusion with the master suite including en-suite, robes, landing and cosy dormer window seat.
The form and materiality provide a simple and sensible approach to the site and aspect, the bushfire rating and proximity of adjacent bushland of key concern. Similarly the key outcome for the client’s brief to the design team was to have a relaxing, engaging, low maintenance outcome that provided for weekends of rest and relaxation.
The main challenges were
• Slope and rocky substrate for footings
• Ongoing access challenges and site closures on days of extreme bushfire danger
• Integration of irrigation field to septic into natural landscape
• Compliance with natural vegetation cleating directions
The site provided for some challenges in terms of the latent conditions in the ground conditions with high levels of rock and shale material in the area of the slab. Revision of the footing system was required to adequately address engineering concerns and the raft slab was changes to a waffle pod system with bored priers to better address this.
Innovation shows through both construction materials in non-typical finishes like;
• Waffle pod footing system
• Off grid solar power and battery storage
• Wall framing design to incorporate additional air dam between sarking and vapour barrier
• CFS Bushfire requirements satisfied with 22,500L Bushfire tank and additional
2 x 3,200 litre rainwater tanks, turning circles.
• Independent Septic Waste Water system with Considered placement of waste water into landscaped gardens.
Team:
Designers: Urban Habitats
Photographer: Kate Bowman
Materials Used:
The high calibre of workmanship required for the execution of the new contemporary building works means this home will be of minimal inputs for future upkeep of maintenance by the owners.
• Corrugated Colorbond Cladding
• Powder-coated Commercial double glazed windows and doors.
• Sycon Cladding to soffits
• Detailed Window Flashing Surrounds
Internal standard
• Burnished concrete Flooring feature in the Entry/ study/ Laundry/ Kitchen / Living and Dining areas . .
• High spec cabinetry design and fabrication including stone benchtops
• Limewashed Pine Plywood Wall panelling to living/dine/Master Bedroom walls and ceilings.
• Free standing wood fire heater.
The meticulous attention to detail in selecting the high-quality materials and finishes for the wet areas throughout create a consistency of warm tones and attention to detail with custom cabinetry, stone bench-tops, frameless shower screens quality tapware, sanitary ware and fittings.
