Cabin 2

Cabin 2
© Will Watt

CABIN 2

Maddison Architects

LOCATION
Blairgowrie, Victoria, Australia

PROJECT YEAR
2013

AREA
110.0 sqm

ARCHITECT IN CHARGE
Peter Maddison

PHOTOGRAPHS
Will Watt

LANDSCAPING
Drew Carling

BUILDER
Frank Pty Ltd

INTERIORS
Maddison Architects

DESIGN DIRECTOR
Drew Carling

PROJECT ARCHITECT
Amir Shayan

ENGINEER
Perrett Simpson P/L

ARCHITECT IN CHARGE
Peter Maddison

LIGHTING
Masson for Light

MANUFACTURERS
Tremco, Lysaght, Aneeta Windows, Astra Walker, Austral Plywood, Caroma, Classic Ceramics, Cultured Stone, Glamex, International Floor Coverings, Lockwood, Radial Timbers

Cabin 2 is an extension/addition to an existing 1960s log cabin located in bayside Blairgowrie.

Cabin 2
© Will Watt
Cabin 2
© Will Watt

The surrounding coastal Moonah woodland forgivingly hides a suburban-like density of houses and network of winding roads free of formed kerb, gutters and footpaths.

Many of the houses are holiday homes and there is an accompanying high level of development activity.

It’s within this context that our clients engaged us to provide a new, self- contained retreat and enable extended visits from family members and guests in the existing cabin.

Cabin 2
© Will Watt
Cabin 2
© Will Watt

Our tactic was to separate the new addition from the existing cabin enabling new and old to retain and express their individual identities.

The existing cabin has two bedrooms, a bunk room, kitchen/living area and bathroom. Cabin 2 provides a new bedroom and ensuite at mezzanine level, a ground floor living space, kitchenette & concealed study and additional northern deck area.

Cabin 2
© Will Watt
Cabin 2
© Will Watt

The new architecture is informed by and embedded into the landscape. The folding roof grows out from the topography to act as a new type of landform.

This bituminous membrane wall/roof plane and its supporting pre-fabricated skeletal timber frame appear influenced by the prevailing wind forces shaping the surrounding contorted Moonah trees.

Cabin 2
© Will Watt
Cabin 2
© Will Watt

The roof directly reflects the internal volume and the program of functions underneath which lead upstairs to the elevated bedroom offering extensive alley views.

he roof form is unified so that roof is ceiling and the structural timber frame is fully exposed both inside and out to convey both a structural and architectural honesty.

Cabin 2
© Will Watt
Cabin 2
© Will Watt

The monolithic concrete plinth is part sunken into the land in an attempt to emphasise a feeling of refuge and physical engagement with the site.

The in situ concrete application also enables a seamless integration of the kitchenette, half of the stairs and the fireplace hearth, as well as providing an external seat and integrated linear planter.

Cabin 2 aims to minimise site impact. It is only 110m2 and is camouflaged from the surrounding streets. It was located to reduce site disturbance and minimise removal of existing trees.

Cabin 2
© Will Watt
Cabin 2
© Will Watt

Cabin 2 aims to minimise site impact. It is only 110m2 and is camouflaged from the surrounding streets. It was located to reduce site disturbance and minimise removal of existing trees.

We have staggered new fence lines and indigenous planting to blur abstract property boundary lines and hopefully expand the feeling of the site beyond its immediate confines.


Cabin 2
© Will Watt
Cabin 2
© Will Watt


Cabin 2
Ground Floor Plan
Cabin 2
Mezzanine Floor Plan


Cabin 2
South Elevation
Cabin 2
North Elevation


Cabin 2
Site Plan