Barry's Country Guesthouse and Restaurant |
| An Ecotourism Development by Suntech Design |
| Bridge and Cabin Unit Additions |
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Barry's existing 4.5 star Guesthouse and Restaurant development is set in tranquil remnant rainforest at Termeil on the NSW South Coast. As an addition to the guesthouse accomodation, the owners sought to expand their operation by providing seven cabin units set in the rainforest to provide an alternative style of accomodation to the guesthouse. Additions were also required to the Guest House and existing residence.
The natural experience offered by Barry's Country Guest House attracts "environment minded" patrons. For this reason alone, ecologically sustainable additions made economically sustainable sense. The Barry's commitment to preserving the ecology and enhancing the natural beauty of their property cemented this requirement.
A condition of the brief was that additional costs were not to be incurred in achieving high standards of ESD. Strong commitment to this ideal by the owners, combined with careful design and application of resources, achieved an economically and environmentally outstanding result. Practical, eco-sound solutions were used in place of conventional techniques wherever possible and every effort was made to ensure that these were carried through to completion by carefully selected and supervised contractors.
The main requirements of the brief were to combine energy efficiency and environmental harmony to allow guests to experience the Barry's hospitality in luxurious and relaxing surroundings with no adverse environmental impact. In other words, the owners required an eco-tourism facility.
The brief required the new development to be staged to allow market growth in line with new facilities. Once occupied, the initial stages of the development were not to be impacted by construction of subsequent stages. This required careful planning and meant that service connections to all proposed units were installed during stage one to ensure that landscaping could be completed without future disturbance. Use of common trenching reduced cost and site impact.
The existing Guesthouse facilities have a strong gabled architectural style with 45 degree roof pitches and distinctive friezework. Repetition of this style in the cabin units unified the development. Scale of space internally was reduced to create intimate spaces whilst reducing heating/cooling loads.
Maximum use was made of large glass areas with passive solar orientation to "bring the forest inside" whilst maintaining privacy. This was accentuated by use of high gable skylights and cathedral ceilings to allow convective summer cooling and views to the canopy. Double glazing prevents winter heat loss whilst ceiling fans push warm air down in winter and provide cooling air movement in summer.
Finishes are natural, elegant and simple. Structure is exposed in clean, uncluttered lines. Every requirement for a relaxed, romantic and peaceful stay is catered for in an ecologically sound way.
Site impact was an important consideration in development of the design. In order to offer a true rainforest experience, it was necessary to build close to the forest. Careful planning was required to ensure that this process did not adversely impact the forest. The site selected was an existing clearing in the remnant forest which had partially regrown with exotic species and weeds. This area was in need of rehabilitation and lent itself ideally to the development.
A comprehensive 8 part Flora Fauna impact study was carried out prior to commencement. This confirmed that the development would not impact any threatened species, nor would it have an adverse impact on the ecology of the area.
A detailed site survey was then commissioned to identify accurately, the location of existing tree lines and isolated individual trees. Cabin units were located within the existing clearing along a combined services trench and access path which minimised site disruption by trenching and road works. Construction impact was further reduced by setting strict controls on building lines and selection of empathetic contractors.
Landscaping was designed to rehabilitate the rainforest whilst preserving solar access to the units. Care was taken to select species native to the site with fire retardant properties for bush fire protection. "Bridges" of local canopy trees are to be planted between units to link both sides of the existing clearing with fauna corridors. Trees will be grown from seed stock of trees on the site.
Access to the new site required construction of a bridge. This was sited to make use of the existing carpark and to minimise impact on existing flora. The bridge was designed to suit recycled timbers from an old railway bridge giving a rustic and cost effective result. Services from the existing development were extended under the bridge which now provides an excellent viewing platform.
Maximum use of passive solar space heating combined with natural ventilation cooling have minimised overall energy requirements. Solar hot water services with gas fired backup minimise CO2 emissions and produced substantial savings in size of underground electric mains. Backup winter space heating is provided by slow combustion wood heaters run on firewood offcuts from local sustainable forest industries. This adds to the romantic ambience without increasing CO2 emissions (offcuts are normally burnt or left to rot producing similar CO2 emissions).
All water requirements are met from within the site. Rainwater tanks are provided to each cabin and are interconnected to enable sharing. Supplementary water supply for garden and WC is from on site bore.
Water usage has been restricted by use of AA to AAA rated taps, shower heads and dual flush toilet cisterns with efficient pans. A guest education program is also planned. Water pressure from pumps is set low to reduce waste.
Landscape design minimises water use by use of local native species adapted to the climate and minimal lawn area (required by Fire Control) overplanted with non-flammable ground covers to eliminate watering when mature.
Environmentally sound materials were used without additional cost. High insulation and thermal mass materials are employed to reduce energy demands and increase sound privacy. Finishes are natural and low toxic giving a subtle and relaxing feeling. Water based sealants have been used throughout the project.
Rammed earth wall construction was chosen for low embodied energy, high thermal mass and non toxic finishes An added bonus is the rustic finish which fits well with the forest.
Roofing material is a laminated colourbond steel product which provides high level insulation. Zero on site fabrication eliminates waste and reduces site impact. Life cycle analysis of this product combined with its enormous structural capacity/materials ratio make it appropriate for an ESD project. Roof finish internally and externally is baked colourbond enamel minimising off-gassing.
Cyprus pine flooring and joinery was selected for its termite resistance. This, combined with other termite proof materials, removed the need for chemical termite control in the ultimate termite environment. Initial extra cost of timbers will have a short payback period in terms of ongoing maintenance.
All bridge timbers are recycled hardwood except for the decking which is made from locally milled, sustainably harvested hardwood species (durability class 1 turpentine). Use of local millers allowed sustainable logging to be guaranteed as well as supporting the local economy.
Limited site areas were available for effluent disposal due to existing nutrient sensitive remnant rainforest and two creeks. The system was required to fully recycle nutrients and wastewater in a cost effective manner. Composting WC systems such as Dowmus were considered but rejected in favour of flushing systems with lower maintenance.
Watering re-established rainforest presented an ideal use for recycled wastewater. The wastewater is low in nitrates and phosphates (cabin units have no laundry facilities and minimal kitchen) making re-use on select native plantings viable.
An aerated treatment plant was selected for rapid and effective primary treatment. Final disinfection will be achieved through UV filters to eliminate chlorine (subject to EPA approval). The effluent recycling area was selected with ample distance from watercourses, and flat highly absorptive soils between watercourses and the recycling zone. The requirement to re-establish forest in that zone completes the rationale.
A transpiration trench overplanted with nutrient/water tolerant original native species is employed as a combined wet weather storage and fully recycling disposal system. Lower occupancy rates during winter and wet weather reduce wet weather storage requirements allowing trees to recycle all wastewater through transpiration at considerable savings.
Staging of the development allows tree growth to advance in line with wastewater production. A conventional sprayout system with small wet weather storage capacity has been incorporated as an additional backup measure at the request of the EPA.
| Address: | 1/106 Joshua Street Goulburn NSW 2580 Australia |
| Tel: | 02 48221342 |
| Fax: | 02 48221201 |
| Email: | suntech@goulburn.net.au |
| URL: | http://www.goulburn.net.au/~suntech/ |
| Address: | Old Princes Highway, Termeil NSW Australia |
| Tel: | 02 44571188 |
| Fax: | 02 44571498 |
| Email: | barrys@scoastnet.com.au |
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Last Modified: 12 April 1998
URL:http://www.goulburn.net.au/~suntech/projects/barry.html