Awabakal people of the Awabakal nation
New South Wales
Located within a floodplain, Flooded Gums is a resilient retreat designed to coexist with the low-lying rural landscape. The architecture adopts a strategy of permeability, letting floodwaters and wildlife flow beneath a lightweight pavilion held aloft by robust concrete piers and a recycled hardwood structure.
The design is organised according to an underlying grid, expressed with timber battens, giving balance to the natural, figurative grain of the interior timber lining and thermally modified exterior cladding.
The efficient two-room floor plan provides spaces for living, eating, sleeping and bathing, serving as additional accommodation in the heart of the property’s recreational areas. Access is achieved via a level footbridge spanning the flood path, connecting the cabin to the main house and the road. Flooded Gums stands as a compelling prototype for rural living in flood prone areas, where architectural refinement and environmental endurance intersect.
The project has completely changed the way we use the property, providing the breathing room to have friends and family stay without feeling crowded. Since it’s built to withstand everything, there's no stress when we are away; we simply arrive and enjoy.
The bridge is the heart of the design for us, making movement between the house and the cabin effortless when carrying food or gear. We spend most of our time together on the deck, it feels like living in the canopy. It has given us exactly what we wanted: a place focused entirely on family and friends.
Ben Nemeny, Design Architect
Paul Barton, Associate
Cameron Halls, Graduate of Architecture
Joshua Saling, Graduate of Architecture
Cantilever, Structural Engineer
Quantum Engineers, Civil Consultant
Resolve Urban Planning, Town Planner