Southern Swan Shop & Dwelling
Southern Swan - homeopathic laboratory, dispensary, book shop and dwelling is housed in a refurbished early 20th C masonry building located on the main street of Cygnet - a small and active rural community in Southern Tasmania.
Our clients asked that the shop be a ‘living room for the community’. To them, this meant warm, natural materials, a fire place, books, and nooks to sit and relax. We had a lot of fun converting the existing early 20th c. building into something special, by retaining the original facade and using salvaged timber and pressed tin for the internal linings.
“Invariably people’s first words are ‘Wow! What a beautiful shop!’ They just want to come in and spend time in the space. It’s incredibly satisfying to know that we have been able to create such a welcoming environment that has such a vitality and magic of its own.”
The new addition at the rear is a home for the owners, using galvanised cladding to fit with the local rural aesthetics, and generous high windows, oriented to the north for sunlight.
“At the back, we have this amazing space with northern windows that make it incredibly warm, and we enjoy beautiful views across the paddocks. And in the shop and dispensary, the atmosphere is just glorious: it’s fitted out to be comfortable and cosy, using local timbers that impart a sense of warmth, character and history.”
“It is not always possible to achieve synergy between architect, builder and client. We have had the good fortune to do just that. ”
Location: Cygnet, Tasmania, Australia
Completed: 2013
Awards
2013 Tasmanian Architecture Awards - Commendation for Commercial Architecture
Project Team
Our team: Ryan Strating & Natasha Lowry
Builder: Paradigm Constructions
Joinery: Strating Joinery
Photography: Jasmin Latona
Products
Rinnai 16 gas instantaneous system
Morsø cast iron slow combustion wood heaters
Nobo panel heaters
Autex Greenstuf 85% recycled polyester batt insulation
Forbo Marmoleum
Feature lighting by Mud Australia
Ecolour zero VOC paints
Sustainable Initiatives
Energy Rating: 6.7 Stars
Use of existing structure
Demolition goods salvaged/reused locally
Double-glazing
Insulation retrofitted to existing building
Efficient water and space heating
Recycled timber
Healthy internal finishes
Natural and Low energy lighting
Airlock at retail entry
Publications
‘Nature and Nurture’, Sanctuary, Issue 18
‘Southern Swan’, ArchitectureAU, June 2014
‘Southern Swan’, Artichoke, Issue 46, March 2014