From the ashes of the devastating Summer 2019 bushfires. A recovering landscape and a strengthened community. A place to reflect, a place to watch the landscape heal.

The building presents itself as a ‘shed’ of the Australian vernacular upon landscape common to it. The path is a curve that follows a single track fence line, under a ancient Yellow Box Eucalypt where the bee hive boxes hum. detour along the kangaroo track meandering the contour and a drooping roof form presents an architectural language of warmth, respite, and a nod to the quirks of rural living.

Stepping inside the scent of oregon and eucalypt are undeniable, the low ceiling of curved beams directs the gaze into the landscape. The floor folding to natural contours, the upper level being a step up at the curve of the roof, bringing the occupant to dwell in a cocoon like form engaging deeply with the scarred landscape. A writer’s cave, a bush studio, surrounded by words, tokens and furniture reflecting an Australian way of living.  

No new materials were used in this building. These materials are on a journey in the circular economy of a rural landscape. Glass removed from a St Kilda foreshore penthouse, cedar windows from a Montmorency family extension project, oregon beams saved form the skip of a Fitzroy weatherboard demolition, the four panel door of Nar Nar Goon town hall sanded back to reveal 100 year old teak hand cut joins. Each piece has a story, each piece will part of a new chapter in its life cycle.