Tourism

 

 

Woolshed cabins in the Megalong Valley were designed for place, to relate to adjacent traditional vernacular woolshed of the 1920's (see www.woolshedcabins.com.au). So corrugated galvanised iron, radially-cut hardwoods used in different imaginative ways, bathrooms within water tanks, rooms in roof – it's all there. And is very popular.

 

 

  

 

 

Blue Mountains World Heritage Centre. A competition entry finalist, with world-class building wrapped around a courtyard of mature eucalypts with visitor centre, roof of interlocking hardwood fingers inspired by the twisted form of gum leaves. As the project was distinctly under-funded, nothing was built and the project eventually abandoned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minnamurra Falls Visitor Centre. When their 100 year anniversary was approaching, management anticipated that they might get funding for a new visitor centre. But it wasn't to be. It was a design sited to minimise ecological impacts yet deal with large tourist numbers and an impossible carpark. Allowing for cinema and kiosk beneath, with connection to all walks and adjacent river was achieved.

 

 

 

 

Eagle View Escape (www.eagleviewescape.com.au) overlooking Lake Lyell near Lithgow has been a repeat client of ECOdesign for over a decade. From first 'lake view' (underground) suites through to 'executive spa' suites and 'wilderness cabins', they all have different qualities that make for memorable visitor experience.

 

 

 

Conservation Hut (www.conservationhut.net.au). This National Parks & Wildlife Service project replaced the Conservation Society's termite ridden hut with a more substantial organic vernacular building at Wentworth Falls. It was designed for a feeling of enclosure, natural illumination, views (south), plus two triptych paintings by local artist Reinis Zusters. A popular destination for over two decades, it was the first Australian example of 'building biology' healthy building concepts.

 

 

  

Jemby Rinjah Lodge (www.jemby.com.au). Commenced in the mid 1980's with new stages each decade, this project has won every possible local, state and national tourism and ecotourism award. Through the 1990's it was a world exemplar of best practice, and the first NSW project to gain approval for use of composting toilets. It caters for couples, families, groups and conferences through a variety of cabin and lodge options.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Avonleigh Guesthouse (www.hotelavonleigh.com). Having done concept feasibility for a number of alternatives, this 1916 Lurline Street house was transformed with subtle two-storey guest accommodation wing to the rear, turned to the street for sun and visibility. Maintaining the existing garden whilst inserting driveway and carparking was a challenge well met.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Mikado Guesthouse