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Cobargo Santa Project

Type
Completion
2020

Builder
Davis Construction

Photographer
Pablo Veiga

As part of the Cobargo Santa Project (read the full story here), Breathe provided pro-bono Architectural services to the brave RFS firefighter Dave and his wife Barbara and engaged with suppliers and collaborators to provide pro-bono material and appliances for the project. Among the many things donated were kitchen and laundry appliances, solar panels, solar installation, heat pump, heating and hot water plant and equipment, lighting, carpet, paint and insulation.

Architecturally, the house is a simple response to the bushfire context. It was about building a humble home that would stand the test of time. Zincalume cladding and roofing was selected for its durability, bushfire resistant qualities and ability to be fully recycled at end of life. Formally, the house consists of two simple volumes, connected by a central airlock entry. A series of window seats protrudes past the facade, capturing the views of the surrounding landscape. Inside, the house is warm, light and cosy. The house is divided into two zones — one for living, kitchen and dining and the other for bathing and sleeping. The central air-lock entry acts as a thermal barrier between the outside environment and the living and sleeping areas.

Windows are double glazed and materials selected throughout are recycled and locally sourced where possible, many of them donated by Australian suppliers. The house is 100% fossil fuel free — a heat pump services hot water and hydronic heating throughout. There is an induction cooktop, ceiling fans and A/C for cooling and a 6kW PV array is installed on the roof.

Living in temporary structures with their foster children since the fires, we worked very hard to make sure that Dave and Barbara were out of home for as brief a period as possible. At Christmas 2019 their house burned down. At Christmas 2020, they were celebrating in their new home — with their family.

These generous collaborators made this project possible:

Read more on our community page and watch a short documentary about this project on Youtube.

We acknowledge the communities of the Yuin-Monaro Nations, the Traditional Owners of the land upon which the Cobargo Santa Project stands. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.

Awards
Better Future Australian Design Awards
2023
Residential (Silver)
IDEA Awards
2023
Community Services (Highly Commended)
INDE Awards
2022
Influencer (Shortlisted)
Better Future Awards Sydney
2022
Architecture — Residential, Constructed
NSW Architecture Awards
2021
Sustainable Architecture
NSW Architecture Awards
2021
Residential Architecture — Houses, New (Commendation)
ArchiTeam Awards
2021
Innovation & Contribution Award (Commendation)

Cobargo Santa Project

As part of the Cobargo Santa Project (read the full story here), Breathe provided pro-bono Architectural services to the brave RFS firefighter Dave and his wife Barbara and engaged with suppliers and collaborators to provide pro-bono material and appliances for the project. Among the many things donated were kitchen and laundry appliances, solar panels, solar installation, heat pump, heating and hot water plant and equipment, lighting, carpet, paint and insulation.

Architecturally, the house is a simple response to the bushfire context. It was about building a humble home that would stand the test of time. Zincalume cladding and roofing was selected for its durability, bushfire resistant qualities and ability to be fully recycled at end of life. Formally, the house consists of two simple volumes, connected by a central airlock entry. A series of window seats protrudes past the facade, capturing the views of the surrounding landscape. Inside, the house is warm, light and cosy. The house is divided into two zones — one for living, kitchen and dining and the other for bathing and sleeping. The central air-lock entry acts as a thermal barrier between the outside environment and the living and sleeping areas.

Windows are double glazed and materials selected throughout are recycled and locally sourced where possible, many of them donated by Australian suppliers. The house is 100% fossil fuel free — a heat pump services hot water and hydronic heating throughout. There is an induction cooktop, ceiling fans and A/C for cooling and a 6kW PV array is installed on the roof.

Living in temporary structures with their foster children since the fires, we worked very hard to make sure that Dave and Barbara were out of home for as brief a period as possible. At Christmas 2019 their house burned down. At Christmas 2020, they were celebrating in their new home — with their family.

These generous collaborators made this project possible:

Read more on our community page and watch a short documentary about this project on Youtube.

An image of a spiral-bound document
Type
Houses
Completion
2020

Builder
Davis Construction

Photographer
Pablo Veiga

We acknowledge the communities of the Yuin-Monaro Nations, the Traditional Owners of the land upon which the Cobargo Santa Project stands. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.

Awards
IDEA Awards
2023
Community Services (Highly Commended)
Better Future Australian Design Awards
2023
Residential (Silver)
Better Future Awards Sydney
2022
Architecture — Residential, Constructed
INDE Awards
2022
Influencer (Shortlisted)
ArchiTeam Awards
2021
Innovation & Contribution Award (Commendation)
NSW Architecture Awards
2021
Residential Architecture — Houses, New (Commendation)
NSW Architecture Awards
2021
Sustainable Architecture