Dogotrot & Shed House Designs – Classic Styles of Australian Architecture
Architecture
Inspiration.
Dogtrot & Shed Homes – Two Classic Australian Architectural Styles
From sheering sheds to family homes, the humble Aussie shed is ingrained within Australian culture. Read on to learn more about the history of the shed vernacular and dogtrot style homes.
Architectural Styles from Across the World – Dogtrot Designs
Originating in the USA in the 1800s, the ‘Dogtrot’ style home was designed to take advantage of cooling cross breezes.
A dogtrot house historically consisted of two log cabins connected by a breezeway or “dogtrot”, all under a common roof. Typically, one cabin was used for cooking and dining, while the other was used as a private living space, such as a bedroom.
Along with several windows on all sides of the house, the central open hallway would optimise airflow, making it the coolest spot in the house where the family dog would likely camp out.
Image: Fredericks / White House by Glenn Murcutt
The Shed House Design Vernacular
An Aussie classic, the Shed home is well-loved due to it’s familiar agricultural form, hardy and durable materials and for is distinct Australian feel.
The explosion of the population during the 1851 gold rush in Bendigo and Ballarat came with an even greater need for cheap and speedy construction.
After 1850 corrugated iron was abundant and by the 1870’s (a period of immense prosperity and growth) Australia had become Britain’s biggest importer of this ingenious Victorian material.
Rural architecture changed forever and extensions or renovations were inevitably done in iron, paving the way for the classic Australian vernacular that we see and love still today.
A Contemporary Spin on the Aussie Shed with a Dogtrot Twist!
The Scandi-inspired Agricultural Lakehouse captures the typical agrarian vernacular of the Australian woolshed through its gable style roof and use of hardy Colorbond cladding.
A central breezeway akin to the traditional dogotrot style homes maximises light & air for a relaxing guest retreat separate from the main home.
A modular home inspired by its wild surroundings, Arkular’s Agricultural Lakehouse uses sustainable and robust materials that are aesthetically pleasing, bushfire compliant and low maintenance, making them the ideal choice for the rural coastal environment.
For its sustainability, durability and texture, the modular home is clad in Colorbond Steel and built from sustainably sourced Australian FSC-certified timbers. As any great piece of Australian architecture should, The Agricultural Lakehouse pays homage to its natural landscape, both now and for years to come.
View more about our Agricultural Lakehouse.
Reflecting the Aussie Vernacular – Architecture with Glenn Murcutt
An architect ahead of his time, Glenn Murcutt has spent his career making modest, environmentally responsible buildings entrenched in the climate and tradition of Australia.
Recognised as one of the most influential architects of the last few decades, his design philosophy, environmental awareness and in-depth architectural understanding have made him a leader in design.
A significant landmark in his career, the design of the Marie-Short House, typified Murcutt’s distinct design style. Set on stilts, the house is nearly a metre off the ground and is situated along an extensive rural stretch of land in Kempsey, north of Sydney.
The home is made from local timber, and constructed using a traditional post-and-beam method akin to many Australian woolshed buildings. A corrugated metal roof with wide eaves provides cooling shelter from the summer sun, with the farm building aesthetic reflecting the Aussie vernacular.
Image: Marie Short / Glenn Murcutt House
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Image: White House by Glen Murcutt
