Bushfire Specific Design

Welcome to our attempt to give back to the communities affected by the fires of 2019 and onward. 

We know from first hand experience and scientific classifications, that earthen materials used in buildings are fire resistant - dirt doesn’t burn! Utilising this natural feature in new homes to be built within fire affected and fire threatened communities in Australia is a great step forward in planning for what may become a more common feature of Australian summers over the coming years. 

Designs in no way need to be limited to the Dome pictured above, as we understand it doesn’t suit the needs of modern Australian families. The design possibilities of SuperAdobe are endless. 

We are very excited to offer the knowledge we have, to be able to rebuild some homes and community buildings to become more fire resistant and hopefully withstand any further tragedies like those we’ve seen recently. Employing the wonderful community spirit and model which natural buildings utilise during construction will be a great way to nourish and help reconnect communities after such a difficult and challenging time.

Our hearts and thoughts go out to all of those, both in the affected communities, and around the country, who are battling against this unprecedented tragedy. It gives me personally, and us as a building group, great solace in knowing we’ve acquired a skillset we’re able to actively offer to the problem at hand. 

We will be working alongside our beloved Building Designer Kirstie Wulf, of Shelter Building Design, who is well educated and experienced at designing homes built for even the highest fire ratings in Australia. She comes and works from the Blue Mountains, where she commonly must design for BAL48 and above zonings, and is a regular attendee of the Bushfire Building Conference.

She has wonderful skills at designing interesting, functional, beautiful buildings, and we’ve enjoyed growing our professional relationship with her over the last few years. She is also well versed in the entire council application process and therefore confident in moving projects through quickly and efficiently whatever State you’re in. 

A word from Kirstie:

“I’m Kirstie from Shelter Building Design who specialises in designs using natural materials and building in bushfire areas. Based in the Blue Mountains, I have worked throughout NSW and interstate. Bushfire risk is assessed using a scale of Bushfire Attack Levels (BAL) which measure the likely exposure to radiant head. The scale goes from BAL 12.5 (the lowest rating) to BAL FZ (Flame Zone where it is likely that buildings may be exposed to direct flame contact). Natural materials can be used in all bushfire zones. Earth does not burn, so it is an ideal material to use in high bushfire risk areas and Earth Bag and SuperAdobe are an easy way to build with earth. I can advise you on what materials can be used in each BAL area and how to meet these and other Council requirements to obtain approval for your new home. Contrary to popular belief it is not difficult to obtain Council Approval for Earth Bag and SuperAdobe homes. As a regular attendee at the annual Bushfire Building Conference I keep up to date with the latest in design and materials to best protect your home from bushfire.”

So get in touch today if you’d be interested in working with us to design and build a more fire resilient home, or if you’re interested in our standard Consulting and Planning services