Hare and Klein’s eco lodge is located in a coastal village just south of Sydney. Inside, tables and chairs made from minimally treated willow and silver birch contribute a raw and natural aesthetic that perfectly reflects the surrounding bush landscape. Local GECA-rated furniture makers worked with local timber and recycled materials to produce a warm and welcoming kitchen / living room space.
Related: Spinifex Sculpture Unveiled at Australia’s Croajingolong National Park
Non-toxic plant-based oils complement the natural aesthetic, revealing the rustic character of the Tasmanian oak veneer used throughout the interior for shelving and joinery. The dining table and chairs were also crafted locally, and care was taken to ensure any new timber within the house was either recycled or FSC certified. The central staircase features a timber balustrade ‘woven’ from reclaimed Australian hardwoods.
Several locations throughout the house reveal walls of dry packed sandstone, chosen to blend the structure into its bush woodland habitat. The exterior facade is made primarily from sandstone harvested on-site, and additional material was sourced as off-cuts from local quarries. Non-toxic Oikos brand paints were used to finish areas where the neutral walls are coated.
The under-floor and pool heating systems utilize geothermal energy, enhanced by dark Bluestone flooring from Victoria. Natural ventilation, double glazing and solar shading combined with a heat extraction system and geothermal heating obviate the need for air-conditioning. Thanks to wood-burning fireplaces, the ambient temperature can be maintained throughout the year without the use of fossil fuels.
The BioNova swimming pool is essentially a freshwater eco-system that is 100% chemical free. Even human waste is recycled here – the sewage recycling system turns wastewater into clean irrigation water for the garden.
Related: Herzog de Meurons Naturbad Riehen Natural Swimming Pool in Switzerland
LED lamps and T5 fluros reduce energy consumption needed for lighting. Less light fittings are required, as wall uplighters are placed to illuminate the walls and reflect light off the ceilings. Hare and Klein’s design scooped a Green Interiors Award in 2013. Australian Living’s 2014 awards have expanded their scope and are open for submissions from designers and individuals from around the globe until May 23rd, 2014.
+ Hare + Klein
+ Home Design Magazine Green Interiors Awards
Images by Jenni Hare via Hare + Klein
