Hayden Brown

Nymboida is a rural community deep in the fire & flood prone territory of Northern NSW, with a proud history of community resilience and care. After designing and facilitating a co-creation workshop as part of the Fire to Flourish program, a vision was developed to help achieve the community’s ideal shared spaces. Part of this vision is an expansion of the community-owned Nymboida Camping & Canoeing, alongside an adventure hiking/biking trail that links Nymboida’s existing community spaces. Illustrated here is a fire-resistant cabin and amenities block design that provides tourist accommodation year-round, and much-needed crisis accommodation in periods of bushfire recovery.

The workshop identified key places of significance to Nymboidans, and suggested a linking trail connecting them all on foot. This trail makes the most of the area’s magnificent scenery and alignment with the Nymboida River, which is why the vision leverages tourism to deliver these outcomes for community benefit. There is also scope within the project to link Nymboida to localities beyond, through utilising Travelling Stock Reserves and other Crown Land opportunities. TSRs have a rich history in the area, especially for the Gumbaynggirr Traditional Owners. With further consultation, this trail will incorporate Gumbaynggirr history and stories to boost cultural awareness in the region.

Building on previous Monash research into prefabricated bushfire housing, this replicable reference design makes some modifications that allude to the existing cabins on-site at Nymboida Camping & Canoeing. A simple steel frame and SIPS (Structural Insulated Panel System) structure creates the functional envelope, while a universal cladding system allows for community design responses to site and identity.

Co-located alongside the cabins is an amenities block designed to shield the essential infrastructure it provides and ensure functionality in bushfire recovery times. A concrete slab and heavyweight core physically shields the servicing, while a lightweight roof structure and open layout maintains an airy open space. This too is a reference design that provides a variety of material and construction methodology choices for the community to adjust to site conditions and budget.

The cabins can be oriented and clad to respond to differing site considerations, such as views to the river, daylight access, and Bushfire Attack Level.