Cottage Verandah Expansion
The Arboretum has a storage shed with kitchenette and known as Crommelin Cottage. Built c. 1986 the cottage was extended in 2018 to provide a small meeting room and a bathroom. While it was proposed to rebuild the verandah in 2018, and Development Approval was obtained, the verandah rebuild did not proceed because of concerns about its appearance. A view of the current verandah is shown at Figure 1 below.
The Arboretum is increasingly focussed on environmental education and community activities such as nature therapy. The existing cottage and verandah can only comfortably accommodate 10 people inside and 15 people outside undercover for such activities. The existing verandah (approx. 30 squ metres) is very low and dark during the winter months. The new verandah design (approximately 60 squ. metres) will accommodate 30 people in workshop mode and 50 in “theatre” mode.
Figure 1: Existing verandah constructed in 1986. The clearance to the front beam is only 1.9 metres and there is a step at the front door into the cottage. The verandah structure is also deteriorating with age. The current verandah only accommodates about 10 people undercover in workshop mode and it can be quite dark in winter months.
.png)
Figure 2: Proposed verandah / pavilion. The clearance between the verandah floor level is 2.4 metres allowing better views out of the structure and more light into the structure. The form of the new structure respects the original gable forms of the existing building. This approach is supported by the original architect Brian Mazlin. The north facing roof can accommodate future solar panels.
Description
The proposed new verandah will be a timber and steel superstructure. The roof will be corrugated Colorbond. The floor finish is still being considered.
It will incorporate a gabled ended pavilion as an elegant structure which respects the original gable forms of the existing building. This approach is supported by the original architect Brian Mazlin. The clearance between the verandah floor level is 2.4 metres allowing better views out of the structure and more light into the structure.
It is proposed to give the verandah / pavilion structure a raised floor allowing equitable access into and out of the “cottage” with a small ramp to allow equitable access into the whole facility.
Dimensions
The gable-end section of the new structure is 9 metres x 5,2 metres. The “link” structure is 6.7 metres x 3.5 metres (total about 60 squ. metres usable floor area). The roof overhang is 450 mm to provide maximum protection from sun and rain.