RIAI | Irish Architecture Awards

Citation

Overseas - under £100,000

This design speaks volumes about the climate in which the buildings are situated. How many buildings in such locations have ever achieved that? They are conceived in the spirit of the highest standards of sustainability, and are a delight in design terms. The use of materials, the building elements and volumes suit these pavilions beautifully in the natural environment.

Architect's Description
The lodges are designed for 'weekend away' tourism for couples. The site is along a cliff top, 430 metres above sea level in the Watagan State Forest, overlooking the Lower Hunter Valley wine country in Australia. The lodges have been granted 'Advaced Eco-tourism Accreditation', one of only eight such venues in New South Wales.

The lodges employ principles of sustainability and energy efficiency in a two storey configuration. A 'fly roof' of curved steel lattice trusses, with a primary roof and a sub-roof of corrugated steel, provides a 'parasol' with a 300mm clear air gap. Orientation to 25 degrees east of north captures morning winter sun, and the peak of the roof cuts out high summer sun. Thermal mass is provided by concrete slabs and ground floor walls. Walls are insulated on the outside and clad with corrugated steel. Electricity is in from the solar system at the main house, wired underground. Two tanks collect rainwater from the roof. A retractable fabric canopy is fitted to cantilevered steel beams over a deck at the front.

Clients' Comment
We wanted lodge buildings that would delight customers and inspire them to understand possibilities for a sustainable lifestyle. Visitors' book comments show that they are 'over the moon' about the place, the lodge design, the interiors and the whole 'experience'. The lodges function well, fulfill their thermal objectives and run on extremely low energy.