The Architect was challenged by the clients to build them a passively cooled house in a semi rural setting at Batchelor, for a cost in the order of $160K. The brief required two large bedrooms with additional sleepover space for guests, a large bathroom, high ceilings throughout and an open planned central living space that embraced the established tropical garden. Above all our clients wanted transparency and a light and airy feel. Initially for cost reasons, the idea of adapting an 'off the shelf' prefabricated rural work shed looked promising. Our clients liked the shed aesthetic and the large living spaces this option could provide. For the cyclone prone location, this option introduced significant structural problems and ultimately proved to be too costly. Nevertheless, inspired by the innovative low technology solutions demonstrated in many early 'top end' rural buildings, a concept was developed for 'The Batchelor Pad' that managed to exceed the brief. A tender price of $167,880 was accepted and with additional works later requested by the clients, the final build cost was $178,000 (including GST). Passive cooling is achieved by a combination of careful orientation, extended eaves to provide wall shading, and strategically located wall openings to catch prevailing breezes. This effect is further enhanced by the garden setting which has been created by the clients, introducing high level shading and evaporative cooling 'The Batchelor Pad' has

adapted traditional single skin construction to suit top end conditions. The all steel frame system can be prefabricated off site with member spacing optimised to suit the maximum spanning capacity of cladding materials. Wall frame heights have been fixed at 2400 throughout with a floating roof above to introduce indirect daylighting at ceiling level using polycarbonate wall cladding. There are no traditional window or door systems but rather polycarbonate push out stick shutters and operable wall panels. Combined with all round clerestorey lighting, this has enabled the Architect to provide the level of transparency and external connectiveness considered so important by our clients. There is no joinery, but instead our clients sourced workshop benches and cabinets that ideally compliment the exposed steel frame and cladding. Given the raw industrial appearance of the building, both client and Architect were pleasantly surprised at the favourable community reception received on its arrival. The concept stands in stark contrast to the project housing designs currently being offered in the Darwin market and yet is clearly more affordable. In a location where 'structure' generally dictates form, the Architect is indebted to the Structural Engineer, who was prepared to push the boundaries. Likewise the Builder, took up the challenge of purpose making door and window systems throughout achieving substantial cost savings for our clients.