Whether it’s a home office, studio or exercise room, Backyard Room has the potential to unlock a world of possibilities in your own backyard.

With one in ten people now working for themselves[1] and one in 12 paid workers working a couple of days a week from home, Backyard Room taps into a need for people to find a space to work that is separate to home but saves on costs such as office rent and commuting.

“These days whether people are working from home, starting their own business or doing creative projects, we know the importance of having a space that is removed from the hustle and bustle of the family home,” says co-founder and architect Bill McCorkell.

“At Backyard Room we are offering that space which is architecturally designed, sustainable and cost effective.”

These stylish structures are fully pre-fabricated meaning a backyard studio is delivered within a four week turnaround and clients avoid the fuss and inconvenience of construction in their yard.

“For more difficult sites, the backyard room arrives in a flat pack and we install it on-site in under four days – it’s a simple process that we manage every step of the way,” says co-founder and builder David Martin.

With a strong commitment to reducing carbon footprint, Backyard Rooms are designed for longevity and healthy living. Passive solar design, sustainable materials, water conservation and energy efficiency all contribute to a garden room that achieves an at least six star green star rating.

Backyard Rooms are architecturally designed and built by Master Builders, resulting in thoughtful design and quality finishes. Each of these garden studios are designed to place perfectly into any backyard, whether it’s a single fronted terrace or a large open garden.

Built off-site meaning more quality control and efficiency, Backyard Rooms come in a range of designs, sizes and prices to suit any need.

The compact ‘WorkPad’ is 2.2 x 2.4meters and starts at $15,840, while the ‘BYR3’ is 6.9 x 3.3 meters and starts at $68,000.

“Whilst we offer a range of set designs, there is also the opportunity for clients to custom design their own backyard room using our innovative online BUILD.IT tool,” says McCorkell.

The BUILD.IT tool allows clients to build their own Backyard Room in an easy step-by-step process which shows the associated costs as elements are added.

Visit www.backyardroom.com.au for more information.

It was a collaborative project with the Artist Lauren Brincat, whom we met at the inaugural SPLENDID Arts Lab of 2009.

Steel was chosen for strength, durability and was combined with recycled hardwood timber stairs.

The stair is 27m long, rises over 15m from the ground and points due south.

Plenty of thanks go to Splendour in the Grass, Lismore Regional Gallery and the Australia Council for making this one happen.

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David Hotson’s Skyhouse in Lower Manhattan, basically makes the very valid point of why should this dream just remain a dream? A slide, made from  polished mirror stainless steel runs throughout the home. Your journey on the slide begins in the attic. The slide bends around a bedroom and past some stairs. The first stop on the slide is the bedroom landing on level 3, one can stop here or continue on to the library. After the library the slide coils down to its end on the ground level where kitchen and living spaces can be visited.

Not only is the concept of the slide just super exciting, the shimmer of the stainless steel against the predominately white interior and the pop candy coloured art makes this home actually look like something out of a dream or child’s fantasy world. A true example of architecture and art coming together to create a truly unique and awesome project.

The ‘OBU’ (original bipolar units) are a series of shimmering polychromatic steel blocks arranged in various iterations through magnetic force -
developed especially for cneia art space in france by architect elisabeth lemercier. The artist organized and rearranges the blocks to form growing
monolithic barriers, framing space, volume and dimension – an artistic exploration reflective of the artist’s architectural background.

the artist organized and rearranges the blocks to form growing monolithic barriers

shimmering polychromatic steel block blocks as a growing structure

the installation offers a chance to frame space, volume and dimension – an artistic exploration reflective of the artist’s architectural background

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Sydney, Australia: The Redlands Konica Minolta Art Prize announced respected contemporary Australian artist Julie Rrap will curate this year’s prize and exhibition, to be presented at the National Art School in Sydney from 3^rd May until 1^st June 2013.

“We are delighted to welcome Julie Rrap to the role of curator of the 2013 Prize. Julie follows in the footsteps of an impressive alumni of previous curators including Imants Tillers and most recently Lindy Lee – each of whom are also past recipients of the Prize,” said Dr Peter Lennox, Principal of Redlands School.

In 2013, the Prize also welcomes new sponsors for each category, increasing the total prize pool to $36,000. Longstanding supporter Konica Minolta, previously sponsor of the emerging award, will sponsor the main artist award whilst increasing prize money to $25,000.  Law firm Allens Linklaters will sponsor the emerging artist prize, awarding $10,000 to the winning artist. There is an additional $1000 prize awarded to the artist selected as the Viewers’ Choice.

Konica Minolta Managing Director, Hiro Kaji said: “We are delighted to grow our support to become the principal sponsor in 2013 and to increase the prize money for the main award to $25,000.  We have a long relationship with the Prize, having sponsored the Emerging Artist Prize since 2008 and look forward to another dynamic exhibition this year.”

The Prize has a unique model requiring the curator to select a group of established contemporary artists from Australia or New Zealand. Each of the selected established artists is then required to invite one emerging artist to participate alongside them in the Prize and exhibition. The Prize seeks to foster mentoring relationships between older and younger generations of visual artists.

Edmund Capon, respected curator and former Director of the Art Gallery of NSW, has been announced as the guest judge for the 2013 Prize. Mr Capon will be joined on the judging panel by National Art School Curator Katie Dyer and Redlands Visual Arts teachers Mark Harpley and Fabian Byrne.

The Redlands Konica Minolta Art Prize has a rich history of working with some of Australia and New Zealand’s most acclaimed artists including Arthur Boyd, Tim Maguire, Tim Storrier, Garry Shead, Guan Wei, Dorothy Napangardi, Gloria Petyarri, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, Del Kathryn Barton and Ray Crooke.

The 2013 winning artists in both established and emerging prize categories will have their works automatically acquired into the permanent collection of Redlands. With the exception of those works acquired by Redlands School, all works exhibited in the Prize will be available for purchase.

The Prize places no limitations on artistic mediums and attracts a diverse range of painting, photography, installation, sculpture and new media works. 

ectedcontemporaryAustralianartistJulieRrapwillcuratethisyear’sprizeandexhibition,tobepresentedattheNationalArtSchoolinSydneyfrom3rdMayuntil1stJune2013.