16 April 2009

Regrowing Kinglake

1:1 Architects help to rebuild the Bushfire ravaged areas of Victoria.

The ‘regrowth pod’, recently featured in our Who’s Doing What section, is a prefabricated concrete unit designed for emergency housing for people whose homes have been destroyed.

However, far from being a temporary replacement, the ‘regrowth pod’ is designed to form part of a new structure built on the site of the old house – allowing residents to ‘regrow’ their homes.

Designed by 1:1 Architects, the first pod was installed in the Bushfire ravaged Kinglake in Victoria on 8 April. “It was a really happy and exciting day when the regrowth pod arrived on the back of the truck for the first site in Kinglake for Stoney Black and his family,” says 1:1 Architects’ Ben Edwards.

“[The project] has involved suppliers, consultants and contractors providing donations of their expertise and products. To them we say a huge thank you!”

The pod was delivered on the back of a truck, craned into position and connected to essential services. The structures currently cost around $30 000 and can be delivered within weeks.

“It has been interesting to witness how sometimes the most basic piece of architecture
can provide something really useful and give someone real optimism, acting as a metaphor for looking forwards to the future.”

The designers of the pods are now offering an opportunity for architects internationally to design the ‘regrowth house’ – building upon the initial pod installation.

This ‘ideas competition’ encourages architects and designers to consider the obvious unique conditions the new house would face in Bushfire prone areas.

The objective is to foster creative thinking and allow for construction of the home while the residents are still living there.

“We are really excited about what this can generate in terms of fresh thinking and practical help to people who have lost their homes to the bushfires– providing them with inspiration for what is possible as an alternative to re-instating their destroyed home,” Edwards says.

Entries to the competition close next Friday 24 April 2009, so click here to register and see the full criteria, terms and conditions. An Exhibition of short listed entries and a case book will follow the competition.