bundanon

I recently went on a design camp with my class to Arthur Boyd’s education centre in Riversdale, a facility connected with Bundanon, Arthur’s old residence until 1999 when he passed away – his studio now appearing as if he has just walked out the door. The Boyd family has left a huge inheritance for Australia, an open to public sanctuary for arty folk. Just down the road we stayed in Riversdale – Glenn Murcutt’s study centre nestled proudly into the hill side, overlooking the Shoalhaven River. 

    As a unit of study we we’re given a brief to complete in our one full day of enjoying the centre –  The forecourt leading to Murcutt’s building is bordered by a bare hill with no transition into the bush land behind it. Our project was to construct a 3D design of a functional cafe that addresses the natural passive heating and cooling ideas – making the best of the proposed footprint.

    My design recognises both the contemporary impact of Murcutt’s building and the subtle traditional artist’s cottage that leads into its entrance. My cafe aims to bring a transition between old and new – both in structural aesthetics and materials. Building into the hill I use organically cut sandstone and deep timber decking sloping smoothly onto ground-level. My colour scheme ranges from the dusty sandstone, ornate white doors, deep timber floors and the steel of my plant wall, housing the herbs and plants that can be used in the kitchen. This is topped with a rounded corrugated iron roof that lets in the sun, which also makes up the left wall of the building.

    Whether it’s a camp or you just feel like chilling in some artistic essence, I definitely recommend heading down to Bundanon.  ;)