rodney moss creates the mook in australia for family retreat

rodney moss creates the mook in australia for family retreat
photo by ben wrigley
all images courtesy of cox architecture

to serve as a gathering retreat for his growing extended family, architect rodney moss (of cox architecture) has designed and realized ‘the mook’, located in the beach community of mollymook, australia. collaborating with structural engineer ken murtagh and builder pip smith, the project includes a newly constructed pavilion, called the ‘chief’s house’, which complements an existing 1960’s residence. influenced by a traditional solomon island family dwelling, the siting of the two structures creates an enclosed and private central area for the three generations of relatives to congregate.

photo by ben wrigley

the ‘chief’s house’ is comprised of a prefabricated steel frame elevated on modest concrete piers, and is intended more as a ‘sophisticated tent’ than a separate dwelling. the volume houses the master bedroom, and also serves as the primary eating and gathering area for the entire family. large sliding glass doors allow for a seamless spatial connection between the indoor and outdoor.

photo by ben wrigley

the pavilion features a double roof, in which the upper layer serves to shade the overall structure and reduce the heat load into interior spaces. this canopy element also collects rainwater, which is stored in a tank for use in a gray water system. the lower roof takes a slightly curving shape and is made of highly insulated prefabricated sandwich panels that further moderate temperatures in spaces below.

the upper layer serves to shade the overall structure and reduce the heat load into interior spaces
photo by ben wrigley

the pavilion looks out toward a golf course
photo by ben wrigley

the property is located very near the beach, in the community of mollymook

the front house is an existing 1960s fibro construction
photo by ben wrigley

the spatially open central room in the ‘chief’s house’ serves as the primary dining and gathering place
photo by ben wrigley

photo by ben wrigley

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project info:

location: mollymook, new south wales, australia
architecture: rodney moss
structural engineering: ken murtagh
construction: pip smith
photography: ben wrigley