Part of the Lot 50-Kanyanyapilla project is the expression of small scale architectural forms through the construction of simple shelters from both Aboriginal and European traditions as well as an evolving bi-cultural expression. Lot 50-Kanyanyapilla will continue the bicultural architectural investigations initiated through the workshop Wodli ngundarta – What’s behind a house developed by Gavin and Karl Telfer for Master of Architecture students from the University of Calgary, Canada and held at the Aldinga Arts Eco Village from 2012 to 2014.
2014 Wodli ngundarta Project
2013 Wodli ngundarta Project
2012 Wodli ngundarta Project

Sandhill Shelter
Built of Native pine and marine ply with copper detailing the sandhill shelter and seat provides a place to look out over the reed swamp and the undulating viticultural landscape to the Willunga Hills, the sky ever present and ever changing. Native pines Callitris gracilis and Yakkas Xanthorrhoea semiplana have been planted to envelope the structure on three sides. The birds quickly adopted the high points as perches, the structure splattered with droppings within the day. Birds need trees but they take time.
A Callitris trunk, salvaged from the abandoned Monarto to Sedan rail line (1919-1964) has been installed to show the source timber. The Sedan railway ran through Cambrai, Gavin’s early childhood home.
The centre post has a cantilever arm to support brush shading, possibly reeds in the future, on a galvanised mesh frame. The cantilever, although an old construction technique, came to mind from a sculptural walkway at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales.

Sandhill Shelter, July 2015

Sandhill Shelter, Sept. 2018

Swamp Deck
A 2.5 by 1.8 metre timber deck and pergola was donated for adaptation and use as a viewing deck on the edge of the reed swamp. The deck enables better access to the reeds, particularly for children, and provides a view along the Maslin/Malpas Creek valley. The deck was transported from Canberra.

Swamp Deck in the reeds, August, 2015Deck-pergola in Canberra garden

Lorrie’s Hut
Lorrie’s Hut, named after the donor, was the first structure erected to provide basic storage and shelter. It is profound the sense of security and shelter just a small structure provides. Verandahs and a BBQ shelter have been added, verandahs being such great outdoor spaces in our climate. Their loss as part of contemporary urban architecture is a shame. The 2.4 by 1.9 m shed was also transported from Canberra.

Lorrie’s Hut, Pepper Tree CornerLorrie’s Shed in Canberra garden

Culture Shack
A small shed was donated in January 2016 by Susan, Gavin’s partner. It is now the Culture Shack and houses art and artefacts. It was originally built of second hand materials by Susan and Gavin as temporary storage at Susan’s block at the Aldinga Arts Eco Village and as an exercise in construction and materials re-use. Materials for the shed came from Alex, David, Helen, Ian, Rob, Ronda, Tim & Lida, & Gavin. The shack is set within a small garden space which includes the iconic Hills Hoist.
The shed was relocated on Australia Day, 2016, by Ian, Maxi (German backpacker), Susan, Steve & Gavin.

Culture Shack

Leaving Eco Village

Laying out on site

Roofing

Culture Shack and Construction Crew – Ian, Steve, Susan & Maxi (Jan 2016)

The shed is being adapted to incorporate novel summer floor ventilation, a ‘skirt’ around part of the building which incorporates floor vents in the floor extension. The vents can then be covered in winter.

Half skirt

The principle was seen in a small corrugated iron shack on stumps at Newcastle Waters cattle station in the Northern Territory. Known as Fred Taylor’s ‘skirt house’ it was built by him in the 1950s.

Fred Taylor’s ‘skirt house’, Newcastle Waters

Shelter Shed
Construction of a shed is underway, built of native pine, corrugated galvanised iron and salvaged cedar boards and other salvaged materials. The selection of the site and the design concept has been a deliberative process involving cultural, topographical, practical, aesthetic (and financial) considerations. Opinions about siting were sought from others, in particular Georgina Williams and Karl Telfer, senior custodians.

Shelter Shed, in progress March 2018

Wodli
Karl Telfer, with the assistance of his nephews and others, built a traditional wodli. An ephemeral structure, it has returned to the earth. He, and others, built one at the Willunga Courthouse as part of the Willunga township 175^th anniversary celebrations (1839-2014).

Wodli construction, Kanyanyapilla Nov, 2015, Karl Telfer

Wodli colour, March 2016Wodli, Willunga Courthouse 2014, Karl Telfer

Tank Seats
Two tank seats have been made from an old water tank cut in half vertically. Thanks to neighbour Trevor Ledgard for the tank.

Tank seat in progress, 2018

Moveable Sleeping Platform
Engaging the night sky, watching the moon cycles and just sleeping outdoors is part of Lot 50-Kanyanyapilla. An old wooden floored trailer was acquired and renovated to be used as a sleeping platform that can be placed anywhere on the property.

The Sleeping Platform