Designed by Australian practice Liminal Studio, the new RACT Freycinet Lodge Coastal Pavilions offer an immersive accommodation experience within the coastal bush of the Freycinet National Park on Tasmania’s East Coast.
Liminal took a design cue from the embracing and fluid forms of the nearby bays as a mechanism to address these constraints. The positioning and interplay of the living room and bedroom pods, shield and embrace the generous deck, while offering privacy to the outdoor bath. The design and ability to mirror the plan to optimise site-specific orientation, helps to take the focus away from nearby neighbours.
Joinery has been used sparingly, and where exposed, such as the vanity unit and living room unit, it has been made a feature while being integrated holistically into the design. Liminal worked closely with Mint Joinery who fabricated the carefully crafted pieces. The specialty Tasmanian timber, Blackwood, was chosen for the joinery for its warmth, depth of color and beautiful grain.
So as not to detract from the stunning views, all condiments, refreshments, mirrors, accessories and luxury items typically associated with reputable resorts, are strategically hidden behind carefully designed cupboard doors that appear to be part of the wall. The doors are fabricated out of the same timber cladding as the walls so as not to interrupt the fluid forms and to ensure all distracting ‘clutter’ is hidden away – heightening the immersive experience in the Tasmanian landscape.
The simple color palette that guided the choice of fabrics respond to the coastal textures and variety of greys, oranges and blues found in the nearby granite rocks, rich colored lichen, and deep blue ocean.
To minimise the pavilions’ footprint and therefore resources used, planning uses the circulation space through the pavilion as the circulation space that would typically serve a ‘bathroom’ separately. The bathroom here is deconstructed allowing each element to be celebrated individually, bathed in natural light and bush or water views, while providing a unique spatial experience.
The modest budget meant Liminal reimagined utilitarian and common materials in a featured way. Examples include how the only Tasmanian-made structural plywood was used for the floors and ceilings, and how offcuts of Tasmanian Oak were applied in a random configuration to the walls with different thicknesses, producing beautiful qualities and shadowing as the light shifts and changes.
The black, exterior protective shell is made of Red Ironbark that is charred – referencing the significance of fire, while also increasing the longevity of the timber and ensuring the pavilions are visually discreet. They provide a recessive backdrop to the natural vegetation and stunning, filtered water views.
An experiential highlight is the netted, hammock-like balustrades. Recognising the desire to retain the views that a standard balustrade would interrupt, Liminal devised the unique solution that provides a novel opportunity for relaxing and enjoying the incredible setting.