The Slow Down – Bonnie Doon House Features in Home Design & Living Magazine
Image: Bonnie Doon House
Bonnie
Doon.
The Slow Down
Original article by Home Design and Living Melbourne Edited by Georgia JordanÂ
In the small Victorian town of Bonnie Doon, a building that is quite different to its predecessors has emerged. Arkular is the Australian architecture studio behind the graceful country abode that has set the new benchmark for sustainable, modular home design. View Bonnie Doon project.
Capturing the Australian Landscape
The family who purchased the land in 1981 had a considered home design in mind, one that would capture the essence of the Australian landscape and serenity of the area.
Influenced by the Slow Design Movement, the Bonnie Doon house by Arkular was designed to suit the lives of a multi-generational family in a way that is respectful of its environmental impact and natural surroundings.
The Slow Design Movement recognises that in this fast-moving world of the 21st century, we need spaces that encourage us to pause, be present, and truly connect with the landscape. With a focus on designing and constructing homes for the long term, the movement maintains that buildings should last hundreds of years and benefit the common good.
Panaromic Views High on the Land
Perched high on the land with an outlook of the private dam, the four-bedroom abode captures panoramic views across almost every angle of the vast Australian terrain.
Built from sustainably sourced Australian timbers, the Bonnie Doon house was designed to complement its natural landscape both now and in the future. Its Victorian ash board-and-batten cladding and Tasmanian-oak decking will naturally weather with time, silvering off to create a rusticated effect.
The large open-plan kitchen, living and dining area provides generous space for the whole family to spend time together in. Whether stargazing at night with no light pollution, curling up with loved ones in front of the open fireplace, or dining out on the expansive timber deck on a warm summer’s night, the occupants will find that the house not only suits their lifestyle, but enhances it.
Sustainable & Beautiful
The Bonnie Doon house is a perfect example of a good-quality building that’s made with clean and healthy materials, and constructed with fair labour.
Its interior and exterior utilise natural materials and colour palettes that are synonymous with the surrounding bushland. Not skimping on sustainable features, its responsible design includes a 4000L rainwater tank, window shading, double-glazed glass, low-VOC paints, efficient water fixtures, and ceiling fans, as well as high-grade wall, floor and ceiling insulation.
