A 1950s Australian fibro beach shack in Nambucca Heads from a renowned north coast photographer and his Portugese wife was the starting point for this ambitious extension. The proposal: four 40ft. shipping containers stacked to create a simple pavilion style dormitory and living wing extension for their expanding family.

The design brief was to create a significant increase in quality living space, yet minimise the visual impact of this volume.  Stacked over two levels on a slope and connected with a bridge and entrance ramp to the existing house, the large volume is clad with a combination of a thermal insulation/render system, a green wall with bromeliads and meulembeckia and a green roof.  The green wall extends over the entrance ramp visually connecting the fibro house with the new modern pavilion.  This fusion of robust with natural ‘made’ ecology, facilitates the blend into urban-‘bushscape’

Living, dining and main bedroom have verandahs and views to the adjacent bushland.  Add-ons include robust sun shading in second hand hardwood; steel and timber decks.   The shipping container doors have been retained for protection from bushfire and shading from the western sun.

The construction benefits of shipping containers are apparent: a fast way of creating additional floor space instantly, allowing the owner builder client to concentrate time and energy on the finishes and the ultimately other life’s work such as veggie patch, the photographic studio and art.