Theshedisstructuredbyaseriesoffivesteelportalsthatcreate
four bays. In a 1:2:1 relationship, a central space for cooking, eating
andloungingisbookendedbytwobedrooms,theonetotheeast
fortheearly-risingparentsandtheonetothewestforthelate-
sleeping children. While accommodating this diurnal sense of family
inhabitation, the cardinal layout of spaces in coalition with the
profiling of the cross-section also facilitates cross-ventilation. Four
manually operated louvre panels in the south wall flush air into the
high volume with no need for mechanical assistance.
A“bigmove”ofafull-heightsouth-facingglasswallinfusesthe
central space with the grandeur of nature. The subtle act of canting
thiswallinwardabovedoorheightsomehowalignsthescaleof
theshelteredspacetothehillside.ArchitectDominicFinlay-Jones
describesthisinvitationalconnectionasa“livingpainting.”The
gardenplantedonthehillsidethatfillstheviewissymbiotically
protectedfromprevailingwindsbythevery pitching roof that makes
thesouthernconnectionsogrand.
Fromwithinthethrillinglysimpleinterior,washedinthegentle
lightofthesouthernsky,fullcyclesofthedaysandseasonsare
readasthegardencomesalivewithchangingcolours.Thisclose-up
reading of the site through its unique conditions is counterpointed
by the sweeping arc of macro landscape spectacles available from
the northern side of the dwelling: the sun emerging daily from the
04
Pacific horizon and setting behind Mount Warning and the ranges
encircling the Tweed Caldera.
Not everything about Possum Shoot Shed was designed up
front, opening a serendipitous space for improvised and responsive
collaboration with the builder and other local makers, which is vital
totheprocessesofDominic’spracticeasitpursuesthedesignof
“low-tech and even no-tech things that work.” Believing that there
isaspiritinthispartofAustraliathatembracestheconnected
ingenuity of people, Dominic loves working here for the rewards
that come from the “beautiful places and the beautiful ideas” that
this landscape enables.
As another house will soon be built further up the hillside, closer
to the scenic ridge, the making of Possum Shoot Shed was a kind of
relationship test for the architect and client. As the clients researched
the local profession, Dominic’s practice emerged as one of three
prospective choices. An appreciation of the processes and outcome
oftheirpreviouswork,particularlyTheFarmatByronBay,wasthe
“on-ramp”fortheirconnectionandsubsequentlytheaesthetic
directionofPossumShootShed.Andsincetheclientwillbeactive
andonsitefortheconstructionofthenexthouse,thesuccessofthe
dwelling goes beyond the outcome of its completion and enjoyable
occupation: it was a proving ground for bigger things to come.