Sustainable shipping container style architecture
The Dutch owners of this beach house in Tasmania asked their architect Daniel Haskell of Haskell Architects to design a functional, efficient and inexpensive shack that was sustainable and maximised the views and environment. It also needed to be durable for extended periods while the owners were back at their base in the Netherlands. Ideally the building would appear as thought it could be picked up and removed without a trace.
In the words of architect Daniel Haskell, “The building is elevated above the sloping ground by slender steel posts and touches the ground lightly where the entrance to the shack is. Externally, the building is a simple rectangular form, reminiscent of a shipping container, and clad with inexpensive and durable materials such as zincalume and cedar… The choice if materials was kept pretty simple. The main exterior cladding was Zincalume corrugated steel primarily for economy, durability and low maintenance. There were also patches of cedar cladding to help visually break up the facades and help define where the windows are. These areas of cedar are left to fade to a natural grey colour whereas the cedar windows have a stain. The windows facing the sea are made of aluminium to provide maximum weather protection.”
Internally, large windows provide expansive views to the “Bay of Fires” and the bushland behind the house. The remote location influenced the materials to those readily available locally or otherwise easily transported to site. European fixtures and fittings add some luxury touches. When the owners pack up and return home, they do so safe in the knowledge that the beach house will look after itself until their return.
Sustainable features:
• Collection, retention and reuse of rainwater
• One slow combustion heater for the entire house (uses the flue to heat the upstairs bedroom
• High insulation values in walls and ceiling
• Use of recycled timber for floors and decks
• No air conditioning or central heating
• Limited appliances (eg no dishwasher)
• Optimum seals to external openings
• Water-saving pans
• Bio sewerage system
• Use of indigenous landscape
• Materials from manufacturers with proven sustainability records
