Perched on an 85 kilometre island of land, this architectural, multi-disciplinary, creation by Paul Wakelam is perfectly misunderstood, the name even suggests so, known as the “Toodyay Shack.”
The shack stands and reflects an intriguing personality of vast influences, similar to Wakelam’s career as sculptor, graphic and landscape designer, and admirer of Japanese architecture. Inside is anything BUT shabby or shack like.. it’s more a space that can be morphed into anything, at anytime of day, because of its location.
An hour east from the city of Perth in Western Australia, you’ll meet this home first noticing the combination of powerfully fused, climatic regressive, materials including the brick base and tent inspired roofing. When invited in like the Eucalyptus White Gum of Toodyay’s landscape, you’ll enter into the bended home, curved around the land it sits to play within an internal and external contrast, designed for all rooms & living spaces in be inhabited by.
Manipulated masterfully to capture the essence of its surroundings, the weather, air, sunshine and land are all activated elements within, where this burrow has specifically been designed to capture each area with wide windows, outreaching extensions, and a tower with nothing but open air and a fly-roof.
The house and weather are one which adds to the beauty Wakelam has created, an elemental influence and personality now radiates through. Its position has also been specifically placed to balance these elements that the climate will endure on the house.
As raw and “rude,” Wakelam says, the space is – it’s also something to marvel with exquisite rooms that open out into the breathing landscape. Doors, windows and the fly roof are all elements that allow the space to become involved on its hill in Toodyay, with one staircase that leads to other secured & covered spaces.
Designed to allow for different perspectives, the tower, study and tea room all have their own sense of shelter. With close access to a body of river, Wakelam highlights that the landscape and house itself needs to lend to the visitors of the space, explaining further that the term ‘shack’ is a simple way of letting it become what it will when you arrive.
Photos by © Luke Carter Wilson
