A Moveable Feast – Casa Acton by Archier

Sitting on the edge of arural family property in Tasmania, Casa Acton is an experiment in cost-efficient and moveable housing. Archier combines an immersive understanding of the surrounding landscape with an inquisitive curiosity to develop a bespoke model that is able to be transported to a new location when required while also being a considered response to its current site.

Nestled into natural bushland, Casa Acton resides in the same-named rural area of Acton and is imagined as a moveable and considered response to the site. Co-founding director of Archier Josh Fitzgerald and his partner Millie Ashton were oscillating between purchasing a house or building new when the offer to build on an existing family property presented a means through which to build their own home without having to have purchased their own piece of land. As an experiment of sorts, Casa Action sees Josh and Millie play the combined roles of designer, builder and owner. The resulting home is of a scale appropriate for self-building, and its comprising elements and materiality are a response to the remoteness of the location.

Nestled into natural bushland, Casa Acton resides in the same-named rural area of Acton and is imagined as a moveable and considered response to the site.

Inherent to the Tasmanian spirit is a connection to the landscape, which comes from the natural surrounding abundance and diversity of the many offerings of the southern island. Having grown up in this setting, the owners ultimately wanted to create a home that allowed a seamless immersion, while also being both refined and detailed and offering a contemporary convenience, contrasted by the setting. Having resided in Melbourne previously, the move back into such a natural space needed to be contextually sensitive while also offering a space that embodied a considered simplicity. With multiple outlooks, curated views and a deep connection to the site are created and carved into the timber clad form, acting as invitations to engage with the landscape and creating a sense of space within a small building envelope.

Built using SIP (Structurally Insulated Panels), the ethos behind the structure is of efficiency and sustainability. Locally sourced sandstone is used to anchor the vertical elements to the site and provide a warming and textural base. Timber is found extensively both inside and out to unite the form with its natural environs and create a sense of contextual appropriateness. Internally, the exposed SIPs are left untreated, offering a robust, raw materiality. Brushed brass tapware and fittings and the black detailed custom joinery and storage offer a reminder of a more urban lodging while also continuing the palette of natural materials.

Co-founding director of Archier Josh Fitzgerald and his partner Millie Ashton were oscillating between purchasing a house or building new when the offer to build on an existing family property presented a means through which to build their own home without having to have purchased their own piece of land.

Casa Acton combines elements of journey and discovery to unveil a residence that connects to its landscape, while sitting comfortably and non-intrusively amongst it. Through the simplicity of its comprising part and the resulting geometric form, Archier has carved an ideal immersive escape.

As an experiment of sorts, Casa Action sees Josh and Millie play the combined roles of designer, builder and owner.