A Sensitive Connection to Site – Two Sheds by Dreamer
Conjured from a sense of escapism and immersion within nature, Two Sheds is the evolution of ideologies inspiring the occasional home. Dreamer combines spatial sensitivities with an acute understanding of placemaking and connection to the landscape.
As a work in progress over a number of years, Two Sheds is the coming together of a shared connection to the landscape, and a want to be immersed within it. Taking inspiration from an inherent need to escape the urban bustle, the site was purchased with aspirations to conjure and build a retreat and allow the owners to connect back to the natural as a reset. Home to Roger (Principal at NH Architecture) and Jane Nelson, the home’s architectural footprint took on many iterations, evolving as the engagement with Dreamer emerged as a consultative and reflective process. Combining the client’s initial ideation, a series of challenging site conditions and restrictions, Dreamer’s concept speaks to a narrative of placemaking.
Neatly nestled into the hills surrounding Lorne, the proposed structure was tried and tested, both from a formal perspective, and from its comprising parts. Sitting within a bushfire zone, the associated bushfire management consultation required rigorous assessment and the development of a compliance and management plan. In order to allow for defendable clearance space, and to clear the required BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) rating, the gable roof structure incorporates a gutter-less design to reduce fire danger from ember attack and incorporates high-performing insulation. Combined with the intentional placement and extension of the roofline to create verandah shaded areas below, creates a natural separation from direct solar gains, and allows for the sun to not touch the exterior walls. Areas are also designed to contain heat and reduce the loss of energy usually seen in a larger space. Through the creation of zoning throughout, and a play on compression and release, moments of intimacy and connection are created. The materiality is a combination of warming timber, textured plaster walls, polished concrete floors and metal accents, bringing convenience and refinement to this remote location. Two Sheds speaks to its highly curated and considered comprising parts and an ingrained narrative of its owners and their connection to the occasional home. Dreamer bring a sense of movement and an interesting play on light, creating moments of curiosity throughout, connecting most prominently with the unique surrounding landscape.
Two Sheds takes the form, much indicated by its name, as two shed-type structures coming together on site. Formally, the reference to the agricultural vernacular is clear, and their practicality in providing a generous internal volume, and protection from the elements was a natural fit. From a love of Denmark’s Louisiana Museum of Modern Art and its beautifully curated internal vistas of its natural surrounds, the home becomes part shelter, part viewfinder. Combined with a desire to really disconnect from their inner urban life, every element has come together through the same considered sensibilities. Imaged as the backdrop for time-enduring and rich family engagement, the two structures house differing purposes. The volume to the west sees the more active and socially connected living spaces, and the more passive elements are houses in the sleeping volume, with has its own internal rhythm.
It is also a homage to the craftsmanship and passion for the true values of “making” buildings. The intentions of the design were truly realized by exceptional skills and perception of a key people and indeed craftsmen in the builder’s team that really ‘loved “the building into existence. Much is owed to this commitment to making great things.
