Sustainable building solutions can often be complex but architect Caroline Pidcock believes “simple and elegant ideas are the key”. It is this philosophy that underlies Caroline’s renovation of the 1850s sandstone cottage that houses Resource 88: Centre for Sustainable Practice in the Sydney suburb of Redfern.
The centre is a shared workspace, home to a variety of sustainable businesses, including Caroline’s own practice, Pidcock Architecture and Sustainability. “There’s a lot of discussion about what sustainability is and what it might be and how to support each other,” says Caroline of the Resource 88 community.
Previously used as a photographic processing lab with no natural light or ventilation, “the building was pretty awful,” says Caroline. “It had been passed in at auction because no one quite knew what to do with it or how to make it work.”
As an architect, however, Caroline was used to seeing potential in spaces overlooked by others. Part of her brief when looking to buy an office had been to find a space that could be renovated to demonstrate sustainable concepts to her clients.
It was a complex project, recalls Caroline, until a simple solution was found – an interior courtyard in the middle of the office space. “The courtyard provides natural light and ventilation, and is our controlled space. It helps separate the different office areas and gives you this beautiful space that’s totally private.”
The transitional space between the reception at the front and back office area, like the courtyard, dissolves traditional boundaries between inside and out. Here, water tanks feed rainwater into the toilets, and recycled railway sleepers act as seating.
Caroline describes Resource 88 as being “like Dr Who’s TARDIS – you walk in and it’s much bigger than it looks at the front”. The sandstone in the reception and meeting area is original and very little was altered here, apart from putting in new timber flooring. “The Big River timber floors were a great choice…it’s just astounding how much more beautiful those front rooms are with that timber working with the sandstone.” And it is important to know for this project, that all Big River timbers are approved by the Australian Forestry Standard and Big River has chain of custody certification.
Sustainability is not complex, says Caroline. “Buildings like this are simple. It’s about trying to live more simply but more happily in a way that is supportive of and contributes to the environment. It’s not that hard.”
PROJECT PROFILE
Re:new in Tokyo
Henley Street by Jon Clements
Trojan House by Jackson Clements Burrows
Timber to Tokyo – The Winner