Shack in the Rocks / Sean Godsell Architects

Shack in the Rocks / Sean Godsell Architects - Exterior PhotographyShack in the Rocks / Sean Godsell Architects - Interior Photography, Table, ChairShack in the Rocks / Sean Godsell Architects - Exterior PhotographyShack in the Rocks / Sean Godsell Architects - Exterior PhotographyShack in the Rocks / Sean Godsell Architects - More Images+ 46

  • Principal In Charge: Sean Godsell
  • Project Team: Sean Godsell, Hayley Franklin
  • Clients: Earl Carter, Wanda Tucker
  • Furniture And Joinery: Fred Ganim
  • Landscape: Brent Kahle
  • Building Surveyor: Nelson McDermott
  • General Contractor : R+B Kahle
  • Country: Australia
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Shack in the Rocks / Sean Godsell Architects - Exterior Photography
Courtesy of Sean Godsell Architects

Text description provided by the architects. The site is in country Victoria approximately one hour’s drive west of Melbourne. A previous scheme for this site was shelved due to cost. In reappraising the problem we suggested to our client that they might consider a simple farm shed to provide rudimentary accommodation on a different part of the site from the previous scheme. They had already erected a large machinery shed with solar panels and rainwater collection tanks uphill from where we agreed a very simple adaptation of a hayshed might occur.

Shack in the Rocks / Sean Godsell Architects - Exterior Photography, Beam
Courtesy of Sean Godsell Architects

In our discussions we noted the primary requirement in rural and outback Australia for shelter - a roof parasol that provides some shade and protection from the rain as well as a place to enjoy outdoor activities - cooking, eating and engaging with and framing the spectacular landscape that exists on this particular site.

Shack in the Rocks / Sean Godsell Architects - Exterior Photography
Courtesy of Sean Godsell Architects
Shack in the Rocks / Sean Godsell Architects - Image 46 of 51
Section and Details
Shack in the Rocks / Sean Godsell Architects - Exterior Photography, Facade
Courtesy of Sean Godsell Architects
Shack in the Rocks / Sean Godsell Architects - Image 43 of 51
Plan
Shack in the Rocks / Sean Godsell Architects - Interior Photography, Table, Chair
Courtesy of Sean Godsell Architects
Shack in the Rocks / Sean Godsell Architects - Interior Photography, Windows, Countertop, Facade, Glass
Courtesy of Sean Godsell Architects

In the end we adapted a hayshed structure and modified it by including a translucent roofing material for light and adapting some industrial walkway grating to make a louvre for shade. Two translucent 'sheds' are positioned to the east end of a monolithic concrete plinth - one shed for cooking and eating and the other for sleeping and ablutions.

Shack in the Rocks / Sean Godsell Architects - Exterior Photography, Beam
Courtesy of Sean Godsell Architects
Shack in the Rocks / Sean Godsell Architects - Exterior Photography, Door, Facade
Courtesy of Sean Godsell Architects

Two houses by Riken Yamamoto and Field Shop - Yamakawa Cottage (1976) and the Ishii house (1977) - disassemble conventional residential programmes and then reassemble them in a highly creative way. I remember being intrigued by these projects as a young architect. In the case of the Yamakawa Cottage the functional programme is distributed in an ordered and logical way across a single level timber platform.

Shack in the Rocks / Sean Godsell Architects - Exterior Photography
Courtesy of Sean Godsell Architects
Shack in the Rocks / Sean Godsell Architects - Image 45 of 51
Section and Details
Shack in the Rocks / Sean Godsell Architects - Exterior Photography
Courtesy of Sean Godsell Architects

This highly poetic scattering of spaces is controlled by a large shallow gable roof which shelters not only the rooms but the outdoor or 'other' space in the building. This 'other' space is intriguing to me and I certainly had the Yamakawa Cottage in mind when I designed this shack in the rocks. 

Shack in the Rocks / Sean Godsell Architects - Exterior Photography
Courtesy of Sean Godsell Architects

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Cite: "Shack in the Rocks / Sean Godsell Architects" 10 Jun 2021. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/963108/shack-in-the-rocks-sean-godsell-architects> ISSN 0719-8884

Courtesy of Sean Godsell Architects

岩石上的小屋/ SeanGodsell Architects

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