Pirramimma

Prefabricated architectural concept by architect Emelie Holmberg. I photographed the first made situated in unspoiled woodlands on the island of Väddö, Sweden.

It grew out of a realization of changing living and working patterns partly precipitated by the pandemic. Pre-Covid, Emelie had dreamt of a more flexible lifestyle facilitated by technology, allowing her to work remotely wherever she chose, so long as she had internet access.

This partly sparked the idea for Gimme Shelter, which began life as a concept for her own self-build, low-cost home. The project comprises two structures. One measures 32 sq m and contains a living room, kitchen, and bathroom; the other occupies 10sq m and houses a bedroom.

GIMME SHELTER

BY JAMES SILVERMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Precision-built and heart-felt

Calling Tokyo, Hong Kong, greater Zurich and Bangkok home for the last 30 years, Matt Dillon has spent a lifetime in big cities. “They are fascinating places," he remarks “full of the hustle and bustle of life and people, sights and sounds. Which makes it all the more special to be in a place finally where you can look up and see the stars at night… where the the solitude, the stillness, the quietness of being amongst nature is palpable.”

Returning to Australia for a family reunion in 2006, Matt found himself in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park where a lifelong interest in the arts and horticulture would begin taking shape.

Under a majestic canopy of Monterey Pines, Himalayan Cedars and Metasequoia Redwoods, Pirramimma sits over 800 metres above sea level and 100 kilometres from Sydney. Its calming ability to slow down time creates the feeling of being a million miles from everywhere. With his younger brother John, and a team of architects, engineers, landscapers, artists and craftspeople, Matt spent the next four years transforming a tired dwelling, an overgrown garden and the remnants of a late 19th century orchard into a habitat to nurture his passion for landscape, architecture and art. “We wanted to create a sanctuary," explains Matt. “A bespoke home and an immersive garden: a place to engage the senses and the mind.”

In its design and execution, Pirramimma represents a deliberate and exacting collaboration between client and maker to conserve and nurture the ongoing heritage of the property. The Blue Mountains provides a rich source of discovery and inspiration, from the region’s pre-colonial indigenous history, to the footprints of colonial explorers and naturalists, such as Charles Darwin who crossed the Blue Mountains on horseback in 1836. Building upon the historical and cultural layers of the site, landscape architect Craig Burton worked as archaeologist and historian, and through the principles of conservation, interpretation and adaptation, he skillfully transformed the former disjointed garden while maintaining its cultural significance.

The resulting landscape now marks a new era in the garden’s evolution. The selective clearing of deadwood and intrusive species improved solar access, reclaimed views of the sky and unearthed the garden's history. As the garden’s bones re-emerged, attention turned to enticing exploration. Water elements and large scale outdoor sculptures by artists including James Angus, Marta Moreu and Xie Yuanqing provide moments and guidance through ruins, a meditation circle, fern walk and mist garden.

Stretched horizontally and vertically, planes of rammed earth define the eastern boundary of the residence, formalising and staging the entry courtyard and approach. This linear strategy creates elongated outdoor and indoor rooms that celebrate the beauty of the landscape and provide ‘pause’ spaces. With experience working in the Australian landscape, architect Peter Stutchbury was commissioned to design the new residence. “I chose Peter because he has an incredibly strong approach in terms of connecting with the environment, and the unique character of the Australian geography and climate,” Matt remarks. “He has a sophisticated approach that is respectful of the indigenous culture.” Matt’s brief to Peter was to design a home that would sit quietly in its surroundings and connect seamlessly with the garden. Before putting pen to paper, Peter camped overnight to gain a deeper appreciation of its “qualities of light” and “spirit-lines”.

Taking advantage of the original building platform, ground levels and clearings between mature trees, the new building's vertical, twisting and tapering zinc roof is a singular sculptural object that finds kinship with the tall trees and provides a wide opening for the winter sun, and a strong spatial and experiential relationship with the surrounding garden.

“The north-end of the building is a large aperture,” Matt explains. “You can lift the window using a cast iron wheel and a series of pulleys and completely open the house up to the garden – it is exhilarating. Then as you retreat south through the building to the quieter areas and the roof line becomes smaller and tighter in the bedrooms and the library.”

wood forest

Matt Dillon interviewed seven architects before appointing Peter Stutchbury, and then handed him a five-page, 63-point brief covering everything from the water pressure to the quality of light. The result is a striking house that is perfectly formed for the way he lives. Calling Tokyo, Hong Kong, greater Zurich and Bangkok home for the last 30 years, Matt Dillon has spent a lifetime in big cities. “They are fascinating places," he remarks “full of the hustle and bustle of life and people, sights and sounds. Which makes it all the more special to be in a place finally where you can look up and see the stars at night… where the the solitude, the stillness, the quietness of being amongst nature is palpable.” Returning to Australia for a family reunion in 2006, Matt found himself in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park where a lifelong interest in the arts and horticulture would begin taking shape. Under a majestic canopy of Monterey Pines, Himalayan Cedars and Metasequoia Redwoods, Pirramimma sits over 800 metres above sea level and 100 kilometres from Sydney. Its calming ability to slow down time creates the feeling of being a million miles from everywhere. With his younger brother John, and a team of architects, engineers, landscapers, artists and craftspeople, Matt spent the next four years transforming a tired dwelling, an overgrown garden and the remnants of a late 19th century orchard into a habitat to nurture his passion for landscape, architecture and art. “We wanted to create a sanctuary," explains Matt. “A bespoke home and an immersive garden: a place to engage the senses and the mind.” In its design and execution, Pirramimma represents a deliberate and exacting collaboration between client and maker to conserve and nurture the ongoing heritage of the property. The Blue Mountains provides a rich source of discovery and inspiration, from the region’s pre-colonial indigenous history, to the footprints of colonial explorers and naturalists, such as Charles Darwin who crossed the Blue Mountains on horseback in 1836. Building upon the historical and cultural layers of the site, landscape architect Craig Burton worked as archaeologist and historian, and through the principles of conservation, interpretation and adaptation, he skillfully transformed the former disjointed garden while maintaining its cultural significance. The resulting landscape now marks a new era in the garden’s evolution. The selective clearing of deadwood and intrusive species improved solar access, reclaimed views of the sky and unearthed the garden's history. As the garden’s bones re-emerged, attention turned to enticing exploration. Water elements and large scale outdoor sculptures by artists including James Angus, Marta Moreu and Xie Yuanqing provide moments and guidance through ruins, a meditation circle, fern walk and mist garden. Stretched horizontally and vertically, planes of rammed earth define the eastern boundary of the residence, formalising and staging the entry courtyard and approach. This linear strategy creates elongated outdoor and indoor rooms that celebrate the beauty of the landscape and provide ‘pause’ spaces. With experience working in the Australian landscape, architect Peter Stutchbury was commissioned to design the new residence. “I chose Peter because he has an incredibly strong approach in terms of connecting with the environment, and the unique character of the Australian geography and climate,” Matt remarks. “He has a sophisticated approach that is respectful of the indigenous culture.” Matt’s brief to Peter was to design a home that would sit quietly in its surroundings and connect seamlessly with the garden. Before putting pen to paper, Peter camped overnight to gain a deeper appreciation of its “qualities of light” and “spirit-lines”. Taking advantage of the original building platform, ground levels and clearings between mature trees, the new building's vertical, twisting and tapering zinc roof is a singular sculptural object that finds kinship with the tall trees and provides a wide opening for the winter sun, and a strong spatial and experiential relationship with the surrounding garden. “The north-end of the building is a large aperture,” Matt explains. “You can lift the window using a cast iron wheel and a series of pulleys and completely open the house up to the garden – it is exhilarating. Then as you retreat south through the building to the quieter areas and the roof line becomes smaller and tighter in the bedrooms and the library.”From an architectural perspective, art is woven into the very fabric of the house, creating a tapestry that blurs form and function, art and architecture. Ceramics by master potter Peter Rushforth and paintings by artists including Leonard French, Arthur Boyd, Miguel Macaya and Yoon Giwon, are at home with a glass mural by Lisa Cahill and a series of bespoke joinery pieces. Furnishings were either custom-made or handpicked to complement and enhance Pirramimma’s design language. Matt's interest in mid-century design is explored through classics by Serge Mouille and Hans Wegner, and more unusual pieces by Finn Juhl. "I put a lot of thought into choosing the right piece for the right space, often forgoing iconic pieces for something unexpected," remarks Matt. Inventiveness can be found everywhere you look. In the music room and library a custom-made magazine rack uses cleverly detailed magnetic handles to secure and display current editions of magazines, and in the master bedroom the bed features an integrated foldaway side table. “The entire house has been tailored to fit Matt like a bespoke suit,” enthuses the project’s master carpenter Jeffrey Broadfield. Colours and materials draw inspiration from the inherent tones of the rugged Blue Mountains region, with hues of blue, grey, yellow, eucalypti-green, rich-red and russet-brown expressed throughout. Patina also forms part of the palette and philosophy, viewed as enrichment rather than deterioration and adding a tangible link to the passing of time. “We selected materials for their strength and their honesty,” explains John. The timber used both inside and out is recycled Grey Ironbark reclaimed from a single bridge in Redcliffe, Brisbane. “When it was built, it was the longest man-made bridge in the Southern Hemisphere. It was once a gorgeous run of trees that would have provided shelter and habitat. Then milled and used for a bridge in Brisbane to improve society and now it is here in its third incarnation: a home. It is worth pondering where it might end up in another 300 years.” As Pirramimma’s philanthropic program continues to unfold, both Matt and John credit the union of innovation, craftsmanship and a remarkable building team. "They could all see the merit in creating something unique that would stand the test of time.” John remarks. "The momentum of the build swept them up and they were all eager to do the best job they could.” With a contemporary Japanese Tea House now completed, Matt is cultivating heirloom fruit trees, including childhood favourites such as almonds, figs and gooseberries, has installed chickens and an apiary to pursue a love of local honey, and is developing an artist-in-residence program. Building on the creative impact Pirramimma has made on all who have worked there, artists, writers and horticulturalists will be invited to sojourn at Pirramimma and develop their craft amongst the trees. “It has always been my vision to use Pirramimma as both an inspiration and a setting for artistic creativity in many and varied fields,” explains Matt. “A place where you can reflect on life, explore current interests and develop new ones”. written by Katie Treggiden

From an architectural perspective, art is woven into the very fabric of the house, creating a tapestry that blurs form and function, art and architecture. Ceramics by master potter Peter Rushforth and paintings by artists including Leonard French, Arthur Boyd, Miguel Macaya and Yoon Giwon, are at home with a glass mural by Lisa Cahill and a series of bespoke joinery pieces. Furnishings were either custom-made or handpicked to complement and enhance Pirramimma’s design language.

Matt's interest in mid-century design is explored through classics by Serge Mouille and Hans Wegner, and more unusual pieces by Finn Juhl. "I put a lot of thought into choosing the right piece for the right space, often forgoing iconic pieces for something unexpected," remarks Matt. Inventiveness can be found everywhere you look. In the music room and library a custom-made magazine rack uses cleverly detailed magnetic handles to secure and display current editions of magazines, and in the master bedroom the bed features an integrated foldaway side table. “The entire house has been tailored to fit Matt like a bespoke suit,” enthuses the project’s master carpenter Jeffrey Broadfield.

Colours and materials draw inspiration from the inherent tones of the rugged Blue Mountains region, with hues of blue, grey, yellow, eucalypti-green, rich-red and russet-brown expressed throughout. Patina also forms part of the palette and philosophy, viewed as enrichment rather than deterioration and adding a tangible link to the passing of time. “We selected materials for their strength and their honesty,” explains John. The timber used both inside and out is recycled Grey Ironbark reclaimed from a single bridge in Redcliffe, Brisbane. “When it was built, it was the longest man-made bridge in the Southern Hemisphere. It was once a gorgeous run of trees that would have provided shelter and habitat. Then milled and used for a bridge in Brisbane to improve society and now it is here in its third incarnation: a home. It is worth pondering where it might end up in another 300 years.”

As Pirramimma’s philanthropic program continues to unfold, both Matt and John credit the union of innovation, craftsmanship and a remarkable building team. "They could all see the merit in creating something unique that would stand the test of time.” John remarks. "The momentum of the build swept them up and they were all eager to do the best job they could.”

With a contemporary Japanese Tea House now completed, Matt is cultivating heirloom fruit trees, including childhood favourites such as almonds, figs and gooseberries, has installed chickens and an apiary to pursue a love of local honey, and is developing an artist-in-residence program. Building on the creative impact Pirramimma has made on all who have worked there, artists, writers and horticulturalists will be invited to sojourn at Pirramimma and develop their craft amongst the trees. “It has always been my vision to use Pirramimma as both an inspiration and a setting for artistic creativity in many and varied fields,” explains Matt. “A place where you can reflect on life, explore current interests and develop new ones”.

written by Katie Treggiden