Architecture
6 Houses Inspired by the Australian Vernacular Shed
These contemporary homes draw influence from the rural 'shed' we all know and can't help but love
You don’t have to own land in the country to build a dream home using traditional techniques and styles. This story considers how to draw on the vernacular influences of the Australian shed for modest and often economical architecture that resonates with the local landscape.
The agricultural response of the exterior is balanced with the need for contemporary finishes within the living areas. The large sliding doors allow views to the landscape that surrounds the site. The interior is split by masonry walls, some with open fireplaces, once again drawing on design techniques used at the turn of the last century.
Let It Slide: 4 Beautiful Ways to Bring Barn Doors Inside
Let It Slide: 4 Beautiful Ways to Bring Barn Doors Inside
The St Albans residence in NSW uses a palette of traditional building materials with contemporary detailing. The extended eave of the roof is detailed with precision to create a fine fascia line. CplusC Architectural Workshop is not shy in exposing the structure of this modern exterior.
The traditional form of the shed lends itself to a series of sustainable measures, both passive and active. When considering a butterfly roof design, similar to the roof of the Smiths Lake House in NSW by Sandberg Schoffel Architects, water collection is a must. Similarly, solar photovoltaic cells can be placed on a roof pitched specifically to suit the best orientation of the sun and of the solar panels.
Peek Inside 5 Homes That Showcase True Australian Style
Peek Inside 5 Homes That Showcase True Australian Style
Tim Ditchfield Architects references the rural shed through simple roof form and detailing in this Queensland home. Complementing this corrugated iron roof are rammed-earth walls influenced by the simple notion of sourcing from the land. The award-winning design takes advantage of a plethora of sustainable initiatives from solar power to thermal mass and addresses bushfire safety at the same time.
The simplicity of the shed form allows designers to concentrate more on detail. Atelier Chen Hung’s Keperra House in Queensland consists of a palette of corrugated iron, galvanised steel, and ply- or pine-lined walls on a concrete slab. The form of the single consistent roof allows for a modular break-up of the facade into treatments supporting concepts of private and public.
The Cowshed House, an industrial-style residence in Sydney, NSW, takes the vernacular to another level with constant references to agriculture – and a touch of fun. The mix of traditional materials, finely composed yet distorted form, repeated references to green pastures and, finally, the reuse and recycling of materials already on-site, make a success out of this urban project. Carter Williamson Architects proves that greener pastures can be found on the inside!
Your turn
What are your favourite elements of Australian architecture? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
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Curious about design from the other side of the globe? Don’t miss Houzz’s Danish Design Guru Answers: What Makes a Design Classic?
Your turn
What are your favourite elements of Australian architecture? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Curious about design from the other side of the globe? Don’t miss Houzz’s Danish Design Guru Answers: What Makes a Design Classic?
Find an architect on Houzz near you to design your rural home in response to the landscape