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 were selected for their 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:

• Appliances by Fisher & Paykel‍
• Fixtures and fittings by Tradelink‍
• Cladding, roof sheet and roof plumbing by Fielders‍
• Paint specification and supply by Taubmans‍
• Windows by Accent Windows‍
• Ceiling fans by Universal Fans‍
• Brick tiles by Form Brick‍
• Hydronic heat pump by Automatic Heating‍
• Solar install by BREC (panels supplied by Ying Li)
• Lighting design and supply by Studio All‍
  

Awards

• NSW Architecture Awards 2021 Sustainable Architecture
• NSW Architecture Awards 2021 Residential Architecture — Houses, New (Commendation)

Photography by Pablo Veiga

We are proud to 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.