design
mag |
95
The complex is located in a bushfire zone which
required the now well-understood measures such
as firescreens on all openings, mesh over
weepholes and chimneys and leafguards to
gutters and the removal of all combustible
materials to the exterior of the buildings.
The site has 140,000 litres in tanks for firefighting,
complemented by 150,000 litres of potable water
in an underground tank.
Naturally the monks of Pantanassa are keen to
complete this stage of the project and move out
of the cramped temporary accommodation at
the base of their site.While by no means palatial
– that would be at odds with their ascetism – it
will allow them to focus their minds and their
lives on their calling.
For more information (or to make a secure online
donation) go to pantanassamonastery.org.
An online shop sells books, incense, beeswax
candles, ceramics and exquisite icon prints
mounted on timber.
this opening.
Although much of
the brickwork is conventional
stretcher bond, the new
buildings carry a multitude of
complex details to enrich the
surface.The hip and gable roof
forms are clad in Spanish-made
La Escandella terracotta tiles.
The hit-and-miss brickwork in the
gable helps ventilate the
storeroom on the floor below.
The hip-and-gable roofs are tiled with La
Escandella terracotta tiles imported from Spain
and distributed exclusively in Australia by Bristile
Roofing.These premium-quality tiles are widely
considered to be among the best available
and have been used in countries as diverse as
Dubai, UK, Lebanon and Taiwan.The double
curve design of the units selected for this
project blends the ‘half barrel’ profile of
traditional Mediterranean roof tiles with the
functionality and ease of installation of an
interlocking tile.The roofing of the quadrangle
building is supported on a conventional timber
structure.
The new building is designed to be extended as
the need for additional accommodation grows.
Completing the complex will be a more general
purpose building with a reception,
confessional/chapel, religious artefacts store,
meeting room, and general storage. But that’s
a long way off.
Photography:
Jacqui Dean
Quick Facts
Pantanassa Monastery
monks’ quarters
Location:
Pembertons Road,
Mangrove Mountain NSW
Owner:
Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese of Australia
Architect:
Design Delta
Architects
Structural engineer:
Luke
Tsougranis & Associates
Builder:
Casimark
Roofing tile installation:
Bristile Roofing
™
Featured Products
Bowral Bricks
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Bowral Blue,
Murray Grey, Limousin Gold
and Capitol Red dry-pressed
bricks.
Bristile Roofing
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La Escandella
Curvado interlocking
terracotta roof tiles in Roja
