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!
‘The Elevation of Gravity’ installation was an immersive showcase of innovation that heralded the debut of Gaggenau’s groundbreaking Essential Induction cooktop.
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.
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
Rather than the feeling of walking through a place or watching it in real-time from afar, could virtual tourism offer something deeper?
Lorenzo Logi visits the Centennial Hotel in Woollahra, a perfect example of how contemporary design and food are combining to create a radically new experience for pub diners.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
A hair salon in the Japanese capital blends a language of metal and water in a distinctive, original design.
Gray Puksand’s construction-focused facility at TAFE NSW responds to the critical need for a resilient Australian construction industry.
Savage Design’s approach to understanding the relationship between design concepts and user experience, particularly with metalwork, transcends traditional boundaries, blending timeless craftsmanship with digital innovation to create enduring elegance in objects, furnishings, and door furniture.