Undara Lodge
Key Facts
- Roof design utilises modern technology for clear spans that enables the collection of precious rainwater in 228,000 litre tanks
- Effectively manages the increasing pressure on the underground aquifer
Project Data
Location: Undara Volcanic National Park , near Mount Surprise, QLD, Australia
Year completed: 2007
OVERVIEW
Undara is set in the Gulf Savannah country behind Cairns and is home to the Undara Lava Tubes: part of the longest lava flow from a single volcanic crater on Earth. The client reinforced the need for the Lava Lodge to develop and modernise without losing the style and atmosphere established since the family first settled the area 140 years ago. The Lodge accommodation and facilities include seven old railway carriages lovingly restored and awarded winner of ‘Australia’s Most Unique Accommodation’.
The increasing number of visitors to the Lodge necessitated an expansion of the central dining, bar and entertainment area. The client was seeking a solution evocative of both the great railway stations of the world and a stockman’s bush camp: a hard brief but one the client believes has been achieved through mixing modern technology with good old fashioned ‘outback’ ingenuity.
PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
With increasing visitor numbers to the Undara Volcanic National Park, the client recognized the need to more effectively manage the pressures on the underground aquifer supplying water to the Lodge.
As an example of Undara’s commitment to ecological sustainability, funding from a Regional Tourism Development Grant was achieved to match the cost to design and construct a roof over Undara Central. A second lot funding was achieved from round 2 of the Federal Governments Community Water Grants scheme enabling installation of 10 rainwater tanks with a total storage capacity of 228,000 litres.
Undara Experience has Advanced Ecotourism Accreditation and is committed to best practice in ecological sustainability, natural area management and the provision of quality ecotourism experiences.
DESIGN
Undara Central’s new roof was an innovative design that enabled the collection of precious rainwater for re-use. It was designed for the climate with strong environmental considerations such as water collection as well as sensitivity to the original railway carriages used extensively throughout the resort. The form maximises the visual and environmental elements that make Undara unique while providing a covered outdoor space with shelter from rain and sun and encouraging breezes.
The roof promotes environmentally sustainable principles by minimising power requirements and maximising water collection opportunities in this remote location. The design has all the characteristics of bush architecture although utilises modern technology for clear spans. The steel roof is complemented and contrasted by lightweight membrane sails allowing filtered daylight to an impressively large covered area. Both day visitors and overnight guests gather within the Central Lodge area to soak up the surrounding nature.
WATER AND WASTE
There was a need to effectively manage new pressures on the underground aquifer supplying water to the Undara Lava Lodge. The water saving project incorporated the roof, designed to efficiently harvest water, and the installation of 10 rainwater tanks with a total storage capacity of 228,000 litres. This water is specially filtered for reuse through the various machines like dish & glass washers, ovens, urns & ice machines throughout the food & beverage area.
The reuse of this rain water in the existing facilities has significantly eased the pressure on the underground aquifer by an estimated 25%.
OWNERS/USERS STATEMENT
“The all-weather roof was designed to create an antique railway station feeling, and was angled to deliberately collect rainwater while drawing the eye towards the natural environment beyond our unique accommodation setting.
Undara strives to inform visitors about: past and present lifestyles in the region; how this ancient land was formed by natural forces and climatic changes over hundreds of millions of years; it’s link with other continents when it was part of Gondwana; the evolution of its flora and fauna; and the need to treat it with care so that its spectacular and rugged beauty and wealth of wildlife remain for future generations to marvel at and protect in turn.” Gerry Collins
PROJECT TEAM
Base building architect/ designer: Gordon Beath, Edgearchitecture
Photographs courtesy of Edgearchitecture
