Happy Haus Dhan, by Donovan Hill, is the first in a series modernising Queensland’s love-affair with transportable housing.
July 8th, 2010
You may think the Europeans and Americans have cornered the market in smart transportable housing (think weeHouse, m-ch, or the Loftcube, amongst others).
But as architect Brian Donovan points out, Queenslanders have been doing it for years. You only have to head up the Bruce Highway north of Brisbane to see battalions of preloved houses stationed on the landscape, patiently awaiting new owners and new locations.
Many were assembled from essentially prefabricated parts. Lifting them off their stumps and moving them on has always been part of the program. The fundamental expediency of the region’s historical housing stock melds well with current philosophies informing sustainability and adaptability.
Donovan Hill considered the idea of pre-made houses long and hard before embarking on a new venture with entrepreneur and developer Toby Lewis. The result is Happy Haus, a series of architect-designed houses which roll off a factory conveyor belt south of Brisbane 99% complete, then head to their chosen locations on the back of a truck.
“I realised when I built my own house that there had to be a better way,” says Lewis. “It was so time consuming and the budget kept blowing out. There was such an obvious need in the market for smarter, cheaper housing delivered in a more efficient way.”
For the full text turn to page 156 of Indesign #41 on newsstands now.
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
Suitable for applications ranging from schools and retail outlets to computer rooms and X-ray suites, Palettone comes in two varieties and a choice of more than fifty colours.
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
Channelling the enchanting ambience of the Caffè Greco in Rome, Budapest’s historic Gerbeaud, and Grossi Florentino in Melbourne, Ross Didier’s new collection evokes the designer’s affinity for café experience, while delivering refined seating for contemporary hospitality interiors.
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s prestigious Kitchen Design Contest (KDC) has celebrated the very best in kitchen innovation and aesthetics for three decades now. Recognising premier kitchen design professionals from around the globe, the KDC facilitates innovation, style and functionality that pushes boundaries.
Australia’s longest running prize for students of architecture is once again open for entries.
With a form that implies a level of movement, this natural solid oak dining table with tempered glass table top is modern, clean and dynamic.
Function is a given when it comes to lighting design; it must facilitate illumination. When it comes to form, however, the only limit is the designer’s imagination and will to experiment. And as Rebecca Gross discovers, the imagination and experiments of these emerging designers is evidence of the high calibre of award-winning talent in Australian lighting design.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Esoteriko has embodied a new lease on beauty within Double Bay’s latest cosmetic clinic, overlayed with modern eclecticism.
Nazcaa boasts a statement design for a singular restaurant and it’s right at home on the Dubai hospitality scene.
Designed to drive positive change, promote sustainable practices and cultivate inclusive communities, the recent launch of the Parliamentary Friends of Australian Design will champion the role of urban design in shaping the nation’s identity.