How a four-bedroom home hidden on a forest clearing hides it luxury on the inside

Now that’s camping! Inside the spectacular four bedroom home disguised as a TENT in a forest clearing

  • Along a forest clearing in the Noosa hinterland lies a tent-like house propped up in the rainforest region
  • It was designed by Queensland-based architects Spark Architects to deliver on a specific micro-climate
  • The area can grow reasonably cold and isolated in the winter months, and scorching hot in summer
  • So the designers have used a tent canopy to work with the best the sun has to offer in the surrounding area 

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You’d be forgiven for thinking that this tent-like property would fulfil all of your ‘glamping’ needs.

But if you step closer to the main residential block it becomes obvious that this  ‘tent’ is actually a luxurious four bedroom home.

Designed by Spark Architects for a family living in Queensland the home has its own micro-climate in the summer and winter months, and is well-equipped to handle changes in temperature.  

Designed by Spark Architects for a family living in Queensland the home battles its own micro climate in the summer and winter months, and is well-equipped to handle the changes in temperature

‘This forest clearing addressing a pocket of rainforest in the Noosa hinterland is approached through a typical neighbourhood of rural houses and acreage dwellings,’ Director of Spark Architects, Dan Sparks, said.

‘The journey to the house continues from the street via a winding bush track through the forest which acts as a threshold between the constructed world and that of the clearing, a place remnant of early settlement in the region; a camp.’

The ‘camp’ is flanked by lush tropical trees that are 40 metres tall and a small creek, making it seem as though you’re on holiday every day. 

The 'camp' is flanked by lush tropical trees that are 40 metres tall and a small creek, making it seem as though you're on holiday every day

The ‘camp’ is flanked by lush tropical trees that are 40 metres tall and a small creek, making it seem as though you’re on holiday every day

'Due to the limited size of the clearing the house needed to address the full height of the forest "wall" and look to capture the sky above, or risk a feeling of confinement,' Mr Sparks said

‘Due to the limited size of the clearing the house needed to address the full height of the forest “wall” and look to capture the sky above, or risk a feeling of confinement,’ Mr Sparks said

‘Due to the limited size of the clearing the house needed to address the full height of the forest “wall” and look to capture the sky above, or risk a feeling of confinement. The scale and density of the surrounding forest also reduces winter sun penetration and ultimately creates its own micro-climate,’ Mrs Sparks continued.

‘The brief called for a four-bedroom family dwelling with a central open plan living and kitchen space. Responding to this and the unique site, the living space feeds to east and west corridors providing bedroom access, and nooks for study, day bed and storage. 

‘The pavilion running along the east-west contour allows all rooms to enjoy the rainforest view to the north maximising winter solar gain. 

'The pavilion running along the east-west contour allows all rooms to enjoy the rainforest view to the north maximising winter solar gain,' he explained

‘The pavilion running along the east-west contour allows all rooms to enjoy the rainforest view to the north maximising winter solar gain,’ he explained

'As the doors slide open the forest wall becomes an architectural element; a natural wall that contains a broader space of the house plan, stretching it across the remaining clearing and garden,' he continued

'As the doors slide open the forest wall becomes an architectural element; a natural wall that contains a broader space of the house plan, stretching it across the remaining clearing and garden,' he continued

‘As the doors slide open the forest wall becomes an architectural element; a natural wall that contains a broader space of the house plan, stretching it across the remaining clearing and garden,’ he continued

‘The walls, or doors, of the box slide open manually, while the roof, or lid, has an automated sliding operation. With the roof fully open the translucent tent membrane comes into view and a new volume, light, and material is experienced. 

‘As the doors slide open the forest wall becomes an architectural element; a natural wall that contains a broader space of the house plan, stretching it across the remaining clearing and garden. 

‘The tent roof serves as a “fly roof” above the insulated roof and takes the brunt of the heat load. The varied pitches of the tent roof maximise winter sun penetration and protects the east, west and southern exposures.’

The dark colour of the 'box', or main frame of the home, contrasts against the white tent and supporting structure

The dark colour of the ‘box’, or main frame of the home, contrasts against the white tent and supporting structure

The dark colour of the ‘box’, or main frame of the home, contrasts against the white tent and supporting structure.  

‘Two primary architectural elements; shelter and security, are tested within this proposition. A dual mode of habitat is achieved – an enclosed and sheltered mode, and the other open and expansive allowing the occupants a direct relationship to their natural surroundings.’

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