This renovation project was inspired by a reimagination of the humble ‘Caretaker’s’ cottage on the edge of Farmland in the Byron Bay hills. The narrative of the project and the design process were driven by a pursuit of ‘caretaking’ in a broader context and our collective responsibility to the environment, ourselves, and one another. The ‘Caretaker’s’ became a metaphor and the driving conceptual framework for the design and construction of the project. From this ‘caretaking’ philosophy the decision was made that from a sustainability and economical perspective, renovation was the more responsible and appropriate direction. The client’s passion for ‘healthy home’ principles ultimately formed the core-values from which key design decisions were referenced against. Ultimately resulting in a home with a social and environmental conscious.
In the Byron area there are many modest, brick veneer cottages that are demolished every year without a second thought - the client wanted to challenge this paradigm and provide an exemplar for a different approach. ‘The Caretaker’s’ aims to question pre-conceived ideas of size, scale, and finish endemic to contemporary building practices The resulting home feels more connected to all aspects of the block and has provided the occupants with a heightened sense of ‘self-care’ in particular their state of both mental and physical health
The building program responds to the dynamics of a growing family. Flexibility of spaces and zoning were key agenda in the development of the building. Interventions to the floorplan were made with an economic sensibility also driven by the client’s desire to minimise the overall footprint of the building and maintain an intimacy between family members. A large ventilation spine was introduced through the centre of the building to connect the old and new and in general the number of operable facades throughout the house were increased to maximise cross flow ventilation which can be regulated manually by the occupants
Given the philosophy of the ‘Caretaker’s’ – it was integral to the authenticity of the building that sustainability was made a key focus of the project. A part of the healthy-home ethos is rooted in the specification and use of low VOC and toxin free materials and finishes so a highly considered selection strategy was used at every level of the construction. A huge emphasis on sourcing local furniture, cabinetry and fitting from local artisans and craftsmen who created bespoke pieces for the home – these build upon the ‘caretaking’ approach taken on the various layers of the building.
Throughout the design process a fantastic rapport was established between ourselves and the client. They have built architectural projects before and understood the process which made understanding the process and concepts easy. Accordingly, this afforded us an opportunity to create a strong platform for discussion to understand their key needs beyond surface level conversation. The resulting building is tailored not only the daily rituals of the clients, but also their business/personal philosophies. The project is one which has resulted in a bespoke home crafted for purpose – it is conscious, considerate, and careful. The sensitivity of the design has allowed our clients to connect more deeply to a place which acts as a sanctuary and contributes greatly to their sense of comfort and general well-being.