VAUGHN MCQUARRIE

of Vaughn McQuarrie Architects

Tell us about the design. It’s a 70-square-metre, three-bedroom bach over two levels. The lower level is more informal, somewhat like a camp, with sleeping cabins, a shower, and cooking area linked by a central deck. This deck and the stair to the upper level form part of the pathway that runs through the site. The bach creates a series of intimate internal and external spaces that engage with various parts of the site. How did you get the best out of the bush site? By engaging with all levels of the site – the ground plane and its associated flora and fauna and up in the canopy of the larger trees. By capturing the views and light each area offers. Were there any challenges? The relatively steep south-facing, bush site. There were nice views to the south but we had to draw in sun from the north, along with a quite complex brief that dictated the plan. The site has foot access only, so everything had to be carried in by hand or helicopter – the weight of materials and minimising waste were considerations. What do you find most satisfying about the project? The house is accessed by a footpath from a road above the site, and the bottom of the site connects with another path that leads down to the beach. We have linked these pathways by continuing it up through the middle of the house, which gives the house a nice connection to the site. And that Tim and Jackie like their bach!