- Interior
- Architecture
With its natural materials and wide views, project Waterview by John Wardle Architects immediately caught our attention. The domain contains two residences, that despite their modest architecture and interior tell an interesting story going back to the 1840s.
At a historical, active sheep farm of 440 acres that is run by the Wardle family, we find Shearers’ Quarters and Captain Kelly’s Cottage. In recent years, rejuvenation of the domain on the North Bruny Island, Australia has been high on the agenda. One hundred fifty acres have for instance been cleared for conservation purposes and 6000 indigenous trees were planted. That of course leads to brilliant views from the houses, that both have an authentic style in which tranquillity is an important characteristic. The fact that John Wardle was both architect and client offered many interesting opportunities without experiencing a major time constraint. 
Shearers' Quarter is located on the site of an old shearing shed destroyed by a fire in the 1980s, next to the historic Captain Kelly's Cottage. It comprises a large living area with a living and dining area and a kitchen, a small bathroom and storage room, and three bedrooms. The extraordinary, often recycled materials result in an authentic, rustic effect. On the outside, galvanised corrugated iron was used, while indoors we find a lot of wood. The main interior cladding is Pinus Macrocarpa, while the bedrooms are clad in recycled apple boxes. The focus of the design was environmental sustainability. The house is for instance set low along a ravine to be protected against strong winds, and double-glazing and advanced insulation avoid heat loss. Because the project is on a fairly remote site, all materials had to be brought in by ferry from the mainland.
The unique building techniques that emerged during the renovation can now be fully appreciated
Captain Kelly's Cottage, built in the 1840s, also needed a thorough renovation. Several alterations had been made to the house over the years, and the architectural team's task was to remove those non-original alterations and return the cottage to its original form. To do this, extensive research into the history of the cottage was carried out. Of course, the necessary interventions were made to meet contemporary occupancy standards. The unique building techniques that emerged during the renovation were highlighted in order to be fully appreciated. Between the pre-existing kitchen and bedrooms, John Wardle Architects placed a new living area. The original veranda was a great inspiration and connects the old and new parts. The history of the house is also nicely highlighted in the sheltered courtyard, which is situated around more than 100-year-old trees. Sustainability was an important requirement in this house as well. The wood that had been used in the parts removed during the renovation was for example recycled as formwork material. 
In these two houses, a lot of attention was clearly paid to the history of the place and everything was done to bring it back to life. With innovative techniques, it was possible to guarantee modern comfort and sustainability as well. 
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Photography by Trevor Mean