The Oculus
Oculus is a carefully considered tiny house for minimal living. A hinterland retreat, compact home, or backyard room, it is designed to adapt to a variety of settings.
At its core, the building is a modest space shaped by the tight footprint constraints of a tiny house. Volume is created by the central oculus, which tracks the sun throughout the day while enabling stack ventilation to expel warm air.
The design is defined by joinery that subtly carves out distinct spaces within the larger volume of the building. Planning is driven by the functions of daily rituals: a place to sleep, eat, bathe, and sit. The kitchenette joinery defines the threshold between sleeping and living areas and is refined in its offering. Elevated on a platform, the bed is seamlessly integrated into the joinery, folding from window ledge to daybed. Shelves and hidden drawers are incorporated wherever possible, providing a multitude of storage options while remaining artfully integrated.
A built-in nook for sharing meals sits opposite an externally stacked sliding door, seamlessly extending the space outdoors, with the wet area discreetly positioned behind.
The design brief called for a tiny home that responded to the subtropical climate of the Northern Rivers, characterized by high annual rainfall, humidity, and warm temperatures. Climatic considerations informed the design, from the strategic placement of operable windows to enable cross and stack ventilation, to the inclusion of removable eaves that minimize heat gain through glazing while providing protection from heavy rain.
Particular focus was given to the building envelope, incorporating a vapor-permeable wall wrap and ventilated cavity system. This assembly helps prevent moisture from becoming trapped within the structure, mitigating the risk of mould and ensuring a healthier, more durable building.
Drawing inspiration from the Australian shed, the material palette uses local hardwood timber and mini orb sheeting. Refined plywood surfaces line the interiors, seamlessly integrating joinery with walls for a cohesive finish.
