Cottage Verandah Expansion
The cottage in our beautiful Arboretum provides a unique venue for events like the beloved 'Opera in the Arboretum', the 'Pearl Beach Ephemeral Art Trail', and 'Community Christmas Carols', as well providing a place for arboretum volunteers to meet, learn and educate about the crucial role played by our conservation work.
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Right now, however, the ever-growing scope of Arboretum Community Activities (Thanks to the support and presence of the local community) means we have outgrown the existing cottage and are in desperate need of a fit-for-purpose covered outdoor area.
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While it was proposed to rebuild the verandah in 2018, and Development Approval was obtained, the verandah rebuild did not proceed because of concerns about its appearance. A view of the current verandah is shown at Figure 1 below.
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The Arboretum is increasingly focussed on environmental education and community activities such as nature therapy. The existing cottage and verandah can only comfortably accommodate 10 people inside and 15 people outside undercover for such activities. The existing verandah (approx. 30 squ metres) is very low and dark during the winter months. The new verandah design (approximately 60 squ. metres) will accommodate 30 people in workshop mode and 50 in “theatre” mode.
Figure 1: Existing verandah constructed in 1986. The clearance to the front beam is only 1.9 metres and there is a step at the front door into the cottage. The verandah structure is also deteriorating with age. The current verandah only accommodates about 10 people undercover in workshop mode and it can be quite dark in winter months.
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Figure 2: Proposed verandah / pavilion. The clearance between the verandah floor level is 2.4 metres allowing better views out of the structure and more light into the structure. The form of the new structure respects the original gable forms of the existing building. This approach is supported by the original architect Brian Mazlin. The north facing roof can accommodate future solar panels.
Please will you help us build a new and improved pavilion?
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We have set up a GoFundMe page to support this initiative
Every little bit counts towards our goal of $58,870!
And don't forget, all donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Thank you so much in advance for your contribution to this cause.
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A Thank You from 'The Pearl Beach Arboretum':
"A HUGE thank you from the Pearl Beach Arboretum - your donation has helped us move closer to our goal of providing a fit-for-purpose covered outdoor meeting place for education, entertainment and community get-togethers. If you'd like to know more about the work we do, check out our web site, and feel free to come along to any of our events or working bees where you will not only have the opportunity to assist with important conservation work in a beautiful place, but also hang out with a lovely bunch of people who may also offer you tea and cake. Thanks again for your magnificent generosity - we really do appreciate your help! - Cheers, Pearl Beach Arboretum."
More Information about the Proposed Verandah
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The proposed new veranda will be a timber and steel superstructure. The roof will be corrugated Colorbond. The floor finish is still being considered.
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It will incorporate a gabled ended pavilion as an elegant structure which respects the original gable forms of the existing building. This approach is supported by the original architect Brian Mazlin. The clearance between the verandah floor level is 2.4 metres allowing better views out of the structure and more light into the structure.
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It is proposed to give the veranda / pavilion structure a raised floor allowing equitable access into and out of the “cottage” with a small ramp to allow equitable access into the whole facility.
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Dimensions
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The gable-end section of the new structure is 9 metres x 5,2 metres. The “link” structure is 6.7 metres x 3.5 metres (total about 60 squ. metres usable floor area). The roof overhang is 450 mm to provide maximum protection from sun and rain.