Shearers Quarters

Built using leftover materials from Tasmania’s apple industry, the award-winning Shearers Quarters by John Wardle Architects is a gorgeous example of exemplary design working in harmony with sustainable construction.

From the architect: “This beguiling shearers quarters sits as a companion building to an existing historic cottage on a working sheep farm”.

Located on the site of the old shearing shed that was destroyed by fire, the residence houses shearers, and family and friends on annual tree planting weekends and retreats.

The plan form transforms along its length to shift the profile of a slender skillion at the western end to a broad gable at the east. The geometry of this shift is carried through to the layout of internal walls, lining boards and window frames.

A singular palette of materials is used with corrugated galvanised iron to the exterior, and timber internally. Inside is a large open living/dining/kitchen area, bathroom and laundry, two bedrooms and a bunkroom.

The primary internal lining is Pinus Macrocarpa sourced from many different suppliers principally as individual trees from old rural windbreaks.

The bedrooms are lined in recycled apple box crates, sourced from the many old orchards of the Huon Valley where the timber remained stacked but unused since the late 1960s”.

Images: John Wardle Architects