Consciously Slight – Birdhouse Studios by Gillian van der Schans

As a comment on the over-scaled housing being built in Australia, Birdhouse Studios are a considered offering of a pair of appropriate, conscientiously sized abodes. Gillian van der Schans takes inspiration from the site context and natural elements to propose a responsive solution to the steep topography.

Located in West Launceston, Birdhouse Studios sit perched on the site’s challenging slope as they sensitively navigate the land they occupy. As a pair, the studios stand occupying a mere 45sqm and 50sqm respectively and are a study in low impact, efficient residential dwelling models in inner-city areas. While responding to their location through a sustainable lens, both residences are conceived based on a contemporary brief that has been highly examined and dissected to uncover the essence of elements that make up the home. Imagined as a place to in which to create as well as live, lofted volumes allow for an openness that hints to a less residential condition. Set on on remnant suburban land, the studios are a creative solution to increased density, conceived through an inquisitive lens. Gillian van der Schans takes a naturally responsive approach that sees cues from the surrounding landscape and context reinterpreted.

Gillian van der Schans takes a naturally responsive approach that sees cues from the surrounding landscape and context reinterpreted.

As one-bedroom homes, both studios are afforded enviable views of the east and to the mountains beyond, as they look out over the city. Their positioning allows for an elevated outlook, and their light-footed engagement with the site is the result of responding sensitively to the existing eucalyptus vegetation and other challenges of the location. Sitting on a 30-degree angled slope, the engagement between the built and the natural, while also being conscious of an affordable and realistically engineered solution, became the founding principle. The resulting Corten steel-clad forms emerge comfortably on a matched steel substructure with footings stabilised by local dolerite rock. Internally, there is an enveloping sense of warmth created through select materiality and the use of sustainable natural cork and Tasmanian oak timber linings. Familiar elements of the residential realm are introduced through refined metal work and an emphasis on quality fixtures and fittings.

The same sense of consideration is carried through to the composition of the many elements, where sustainability is key. Thermally-broken windows enhance the thermal mass of the structure, while thick stud work allows for increased insulation and select ventilation enables heat escape. Responding to the Tasmanian climate, the emphasis was on enabling the framework to provide a comfortable space for occupants particularly during the cooler months and, cleverly, these mechanisms are disguised as part of the building fabric itself.

Internally, there is an enveloping sense of warmth created through select materiality and the use of sustainable natural cork and Tasmanian oak timber linings.

Birdhouse Studios hover over their difficult site with ease, touching the earth lightly, both physically and in their low embodied and operational energy requirements. Gillian van der Schans has carefully crafted a sensitive response and proposed two high-performing dwellings that aim to challenge the typical and embrace their unique surroundings while offering an enviable outlook.

Gillian van der Schans has carefully crafted a sensitive response and proposed two likeable performing dwellings that aim to challenge the typical and embrace their unique surroundings while offering an enviable outlook.