Arkular’s Fish Creek House Features in Modern Modular Homes Magazine
Image: Fish Creek House
Fish
Creek.
Original Article: Modern Modular Homes Magazine Words by Meryl Hancock
In the small dairy farming community of Fish Creek in Gippsland, Victoria, an off-grid holiday home was designed to mirror the landscape. The brief to architect Bill McCorkell was a comfortable, sustainable build with a minimal footprint, that respected the native habitat. The site was coastal with rugged bush surrounds and the clients specified a sanctuary that would reduce stress, encourage creativity and energise them. View Fish Creek House here.Â
Not Just A Stack of Boxes
Having worked in the prefabrication industry for more than 15 years, Bill challenges the perception that modular design is static in its response.
“People still think of prefab as being like a kit home or see it as less substantial without realising that modular delivers the same architecturally designed product as a traditional building.
Another misconception is that prefabricated homes lack quality and yet they meet strict regulations and engineering standards and use high quality materials,” he adds.
As with all projects, the design of Fish Creek House not only began with a brief but with considerations of geography and budget. Once serviceability of the land and access for transport are established, this is matched to the clients’ vision of size viz a viz budget.
These conversations set up discussions on the opportunities presented by the site and overlayed are Bill’s notions of mindfulness and connection to the natural environment.
Designing For The Site, Landscape And Climate
This tends to encompass the impact of sunrise, sunset, spring, autumn, winter and summer on the build. “The view might be amazing to the west or south but what does that space feel like to live in?” he typically asks.
Clients are offered either a customised design or a preconfigured design with bespoke tweaks. All modules are constructed wholly offsite with engineered steel frames which reduces the timeframe for manufacturing to as little as 12 weeks.
“Our manufacturers fabricate steel sub-frames and wall frames as part of the production process, removing the reliance on external contractors to fulfil this crucial part of the manufacturing process,” explains Bill.
Material Choices Environmentally Specific & Compliant
For example, if a site is close to a flame zone, the BAL rating and associated cost will skyrocket. Solar panels, a rainwater collection system and passive solar design ensure all homes are energy efficient.
With a mantra that less is more when it comes to good design, he believes a small home is a practical home, and a practical home is an affordable home.
“Every square metre costs more dollars so if you can create a compact design that minimises waste of space, that has a knock-on effect on budget.”
It comes down to determining how to drive the most efficient and affordable comfort possible within the planning guidelines and regulations. A further criticism of modular homes is their perceived lack of personalisation, however Fish Creek House contradicts this idea.
Oriented to the north, the main bedroom window faces east to capture the morning sun and dynamic weather patterns. “I’m a big believer in that circadian lifestyle of waking to the morning light and not necessarily going to bed with the evening light but being aware of it,” he says of engaging with nature
Scandinavian Minimalism & Australian Flair
The distinctive cladding in charcoal Colorbond salutes Scandinavian minimalism with an Australian twist. The interior palette of earthy tones and blackbutt flooring reflects the surrounding flora.
Forest green walls beckon the outside in, and a coppery splashback glints in the changing light. Bill explains that the owner Simone has an amazing eye and played an active role in shaping the interiors of the house. Integral to each build is the ability for every client to work with the interiors team to change specifications such as tiles, grout, fixtures and fittings.
Large windows frame views to the coastline, open plan spaces facilitate an easy flow through the two-bedroom home. Extensive Silvertop Ash decking and an outdoor bath blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living and add a relaxed refuge vibe to the home.
An accessible ramp leads to a breezeway that interconnects modules. To accentuate a sense of place, the garden is strewn with strategically scattered stumps for perching on alongside lumps of local rock.
Completed in 2018, Fish Creek House is not a radical departure from traditional architecture nor is it a collection of boxes stacked together.
The concept of modular as one size fits all is negated by Bill’s intent to push the boundary of limitations. He agrees the practicalities of repetition of form and the prospect of efficiencies gained from living off grid elevate the appeal of modular design.
The owners of Fish Creek House are thrilled with their eco-conscious outcome. It’s a reminder that prefabrication doesn’t mean having to sacrifice individuality or a connection to place.
“I think we’re trying to prove in the business that the only limitation comes down to your own imagination,” says Bill.
