The contour of the building come about from thermodynamic analysis, research of side wind forces on site, the really need to shed leaves yet obtain water, and the enclosure requirements. The use of natural thermal ventilation earned the roof shape, because smooth airflow required some sort of clean, crisp interior skin. There are no visible ridges, eaves, gutters, downpipes or skylights within the exterior. The continuous wall/roof pattern dispenses with gutters, reducing maintenance and removing a major bush-fire hazard. Rainwater, freed from the blockage of leaves and also branches, falls directly towards rock gardens for healthy filtering and collection.

The theory exploits the inherent properties of plywood with all the shape of the building which will unload wind forces with this exposed site, thus reducing the weight in the structure by 30%. The actual island is accessed exclusively by boat so many building elements, including the actual floor and service pods, had to be able to be barged across river to the site.

The steel frame, in conjunction with a single cross laminated plywood bay, carries all of the wind loads of 38m producing to the ground. Well almost to the ground! The structural engineer close to had a heart attack when asked in adding an uninterrupted slot in between the floor and in regards to the eye height of the twelve year old baby. We love the idea that the kids can see the beauty on the landscape outside, whilst the taller adults are dedicated to the activities within.

We wanted the building to slot ‘gently’ on the site. The building was positioned in to a pocket between two traces of trees where most people recreated the roll belonging to the ridge which had been removed in an earlier quarrying operation on the website, helping to reduce the apparent scale belonging to the building.

www.eoncredgroup.com/Film-Faced-Plywood-pl3862745.html