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Design Cues From The Nature And Timber That Surrounds

Design Cues From The Nature And Timber That Surrounds

Amongst breathtaking coastal bushlands of Tasmania, the RACT Freycinet Lodge Coastal Pavilions offer an immersive experience equally of nature and architecture.

On the east coast of Tasmania, ever so slightly hidden amongst the coastal bushlands of the Freycinet National Park, resides the new RACT Freycinet Lodge Coastal Pavilions. In case the location isn’t unique enough for those able to take advantage of the rare, completely immersive accommodation experience, the architecture – interior and exterior – is a feat in itself.

The curved structure of the building on the exterior is clad in charred hardwood, which sits nicely in amongst the dense forest – at times it is hard to believe you’re just metres from the ocean. Internally, however, a dark, bold choice in timber is complemented by the warmer, lighter hues of Tasmanian Oak.

Freycinet Lodge Tasmanian Timber cc Diana Snape deck

Freycinet Lodge Tasmanian Timber cc Diana Snape exterior

“Using timber helped achieve the curved wall because we kept the boards at a width that could quite easily work around the curves of the design,” says Michael Lane, Director of Hobart-based builders Cordwell Lane who worked on the construction of the project. He notes the use of Tasmanian Timber answered questions of function as much as aesthetic.

But the lighter colour far from means a lighter impact. In fact the timber boards were intentionally used in varying lengths and thicknesses in order to create a patterned effect.

To further the ideal of complete immersion – outside in the landscape and inside in the architecture – Tasmanian Oak plywood was also used on the floors and ceilings. Solid Blackwood and Blackwood veneer was used for joinery including benchtops and vanities.

Freycinet Lodge Tasmanian Timber cc Diana Snape Tasmanian Oak

Freycinet Lodge Tasmanian Timber cc Diana Snape bedroom

“Timber brings softness to a project,” adds Michael. “It softens the room and gives the room a nice textural feel. It’s also really good for layering wall fabrics and breaking a room up. It creates a bit more interest than a bland plasterboard wall.

“Blackwood has a lot of variances in its appearance, so that provides a really beautiful feature. The colours in it are great, making it a really nice warm timber.”

Tasmanian timbers are known locally for their ease of use, suitability for internal applications, desirable colour variances in tone and appearance, longevity and availability. Projects like RACT Freycinet Lodge Coastal Pavilions are helping to spread the word nationally and internationally.

Tasmanian Timber
tasmaniantimber.com.au

Architecture by Liminal Studio

Photography by Dianna Snape

Freycinet Lodge Tasmanian Timber cc Diana Snape Tasmanian Oak


Author:

Holly Cunneen was the editor of Habitus and has spent her time in the media writing about architecture, design and our local industry. With a firm view that “design has a shared responsibility to the individual as much as it does the wider community,” her personal and professional trajectory sees her chart the interests, accomplishments, and emerging patterns of behaviour within the architecture and design community.