Fresh Start: A Story of Hope & Kindness After the 2020 Bushfires
When an RFS firefighter and his family of 10 lost their home in the 2020 bushfires, the design community stepped in
Georgia Madden
28 September 2021
David and Barbara (Dave and Barb) Rugendyke lost their home in Cobargo, NSW, on New Year’s Day 2020 during NSW’s catastrophic ‘Black Summer’ bushfires – as did over 400 others in the region and thousands more across the country. It was a devastating loss for a couple that has spent their lives helping others; Dave is a NSW Rural Fire Services firefighter and the town Santa at Christmas, and the couple has fostered over 400 children over 27 years. At the time their property was destroyed, they were providing a home for eight children.
But there was hope amid the darkness. Heartbroken at watching the loss of homes and lives across the land, the Australian design community came together to provide resources and support for those affected. Architects Assist was one of the initiatives established; a referral service founded by architect Jiri Lev that connects those who have lost their homes with design professionals who offer advice, planning and design pro bono or at reduced fees.
Architects Assist connected the Rugendykes with Melbourne architectural firm Breathe. The firm was happy not just to plan and design a new family home pro bono for Dave and Barb, but the team reached out to suppliers and collaborators to donate materials, products and services too.
Dave, Barb and their children moved into their beautiful new home less than a year later – just in time for Christmas. Read on to learn their story.
But there was hope amid the darkness. Heartbroken at watching the loss of homes and lives across the land, the Australian design community came together to provide resources and support for those affected. Architects Assist was one of the initiatives established; a referral service founded by architect Jiri Lev that connects those who have lost their homes with design professionals who offer advice, planning and design pro bono or at reduced fees.
Architects Assist connected the Rugendykes with Melbourne architectural firm Breathe. The firm was happy not just to plan and design a new family home pro bono for Dave and Barb, but the team reached out to suppliers and collaborators to donate materials, products and services too.
Dave, Barb and their children moved into their beautiful new home less than a year later – just in time for Christmas. Read on to learn their story.
Homeowner Dave Rugendyke
Photography: Pablo Veiga
Styling: Atelier Lab
“Like every other Australian who lived through the horrific 2019/2020 summer, we at Breathe wanted to do what we could to help those brave RFS (Rural Fire Service) firefighters who had lost their own homes defending other people’s homes and lives,” says Madeline Sewall, director of houses at Breathe.
“We contacted the RFS who connected us to firefighter Dave Rugendyke, whose home had burnt to the ground on New Year’s Day 2020. Dave and Barb have fostered over 400 children in their lifetime.
“They found themselves under-insured and starting from scratch,” she says.
Photography: Pablo Veiga
Styling: Atelier Lab
“Like every other Australian who lived through the horrific 2019/2020 summer, we at Breathe wanted to do what we could to help those brave RFS (Rural Fire Service) firefighters who had lost their own homes defending other people’s homes and lives,” says Madeline Sewall, director of houses at Breathe.
“We contacted the RFS who connected us to firefighter Dave Rugendyke, whose home had burnt to the ground on New Year’s Day 2020. Dave and Barb have fostered over 400 children in their lifetime.
“They found themselves under-insured and starting from scratch,” she says.
“Our aim was to create a new family home for this beautiful family – one they could be proud of and comfortable in, that would cost less to run than their previous home, and that would withstand harsh Australian summers and possible future bushfires.
“Importantly, we wanted to have them out of their temporary housing and into their new home as quickly as possible.
“With a tireless effort from local builder, Jason Davis, the family was in their home celebrating Christmas at the end of 2020,” says Sewall.
“Importantly, we wanted to have them out of their temporary housing and into their new home as quickly as possible.
“With a tireless effort from local builder, Jason Davis, the family was in their home celebrating Christmas at the end of 2020,” says Sewall.
The house consists of two simple volumes, connected by a central airlock entry. A series of window seats protrudes past the facade, capturing the magnificent views of the landscape.
Find a local architect on Houzz
Find a local architect on Houzz
“At Breathe, we always prioritise ethics along with aesthetics,” says Sewall. “Smaller footprints, less applied finishes, more robust materials and more efficient construction.
“Our first priority was to create a home that would stand the test of time, a simple response to the bushfire context. Importantly, we wanted the home to be 100 percent fossil fuel-free in operation – there is no gas here.
“Ultimately, we wanted to create a comfortable family home for the kind and generous people who would live there.”
“Our first priority was to create a home that would stand the test of time, a simple response to the bushfire context. Importantly, we wanted the home to be 100 percent fossil fuel-free in operation – there is no gas here.
“Ultimately, we wanted to create a comfortable family home for the kind and generous people who would live there.”
Suppliers were quick to respond to the architectural firm’s call out for help. “Breathe engaged with suppliers and collaborators to provide pro-bono materials and appliances for the project, which brought down the cost of construction,” says Sewall.
“Donated were kitchen and laundry appliances, solar panels, solar installation, steel roofing and cladding, heat pumps and hot water equipment, lighting, paint and brick tiles.”
“Donated were kitchen and laundry appliances, solar panels, solar installation, steel roofing and cladding, heat pumps and hot water equipment, lighting, paint and brick tiles.”
Fisher & Paykel generously donated kitchen and laundry appliances to the Rugendykes. “It has been incredibly heart-warming and rewarding to work with the architecture, design and building community to rebuild the family’s home, and help rebuild their lives and community,” says Richard Babekuhl, head of marketing Australia at Fisher & Paykel.
“The industry has the skills, knowledge and resources to make a real difference for those in need, and Fisher & Paykel is proud to be involved,” he says.
“The industry has the skills, knowledge and resources to make a real difference for those in need, and Fisher & Paykel is proud to be involved,” he says.
So what are the owners’ favourite features in their new home? “For me, the highlight is the large window that allows me to sit and watch the traffic go by,” says Dave. “Barb loves the Fisher & Paykel kitchen appliances; the wonderful oven and cooktop, the fancy dishwasher and the beautiful refrigerator.”
For the materials palette, Breathe specified the following:
- Zincalume cladding and roofing was selected for its durability, bushfire-resistant qualities and ability to be fully recycled at the end of its life.
- Brick tiles made from brick-snap (half-brick) offcuts for internal walls to create thermal mass.
- Recycled-hardwood floorboards top-nailed with no adhesives.
- A lot of love!
The colour palette cleverly references the tones and textures in the surrounding landscape. “Taubmans’ coloursmith Rachel Lacy worked closely with Dave, Barb and their children to create colours rich with meaning,” says Sewall.
“‘Sarah’s Pepperberry Cobargo’, used in the children’s bedroom, was created based on images of beautiful salt flats. ‘Home Cobargo’, a grey/green eucalyptus colour, was created for Barb and reflects the surrounding landscape.
“‘Sunshine’, in the laundry, was colour-smithed from a photo of a sunset across the Cobargo region,” she says.
“‘Sarah’s Pepperberry Cobargo’, used in the children’s bedroom, was created based on images of beautiful salt flats. ‘Home Cobargo’, a grey/green eucalyptus colour, was created for Barb and reflects the surrounding landscape.
“‘Sunshine’, in the laundry, was colour-smithed from a photo of a sunset across the Cobargo region,” she says.
Sewall says this is the most rewarding project she has ever worked on. “I feel privileged to have been able to spend time with Dave and Barb, getting to know them and the incredible work they have done in every community they have lived in.
“We designed the home during 2020’s Covid-19 lockdowns, so meeting in person was not possible until the home was complete. After handling the design and construction remotely, we were lucky enough to travel to Cobargo and spend time with the family in their new home, experiencing their kindness and humanity firsthand,” she says.
“We designed the home during 2020’s Covid-19 lockdowns, so meeting in person was not possible until the home was complete. After handling the design and construction remotely, we were lucky enough to travel to Cobargo and spend time with the family in their new home, experiencing their kindness and humanity firsthand,” she says.
And the couple couldn’t be more thrilled with their new abode. “We were overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity shown to us after the bushfire,” says Dave. “Our new home is a beautiful tribute to that kindness and generosity.”
“We’re most proud of delivering a safe and comfortable home quickly and affordably for a family in need.”
“We are proud of the teamwork and empathy, demonstrated by so many industry professionals, that went into this house,” says Sewall.
“We are proud of the teamwork and empathy, demonstrated by so many industry professionals, that went into this house,” says Sewall.
“We are thrilled with how happy Dave, Barb and the kids are with their home and with the relationship we have built with them through the experience,” she says.
“Dave and Barb were able to highlight how much the Cobargo community is still suffering from the devastation caused by the 2019/2020 bushfires. Many residents have left for good, some are still living in temporary accommodation and caravans.
“The rebuild effort and Covid-19 has meant the cost of construction has gone up, leaving many people without the means to rebuild their homes. It has really highlighted how much initiatives like Architects Assist are needed,” says Sewall.
“The rebuild effort and Covid-19 has meant the cost of construction has gone up, leaving many people without the means to rebuild their homes. It has really highlighted how much initiatives like Architects Assist are needed,” says Sewall.
“I hope the story motivates and encourages architects and building professionals to reach out to communities in need and offer goods and services at no cost if they are in a position to do so.
“There is still so much work that needs to be done for incredible families like the Rugendykes,” says Sewall.
“There is still so much work that needs to be done for incredible families like the Rugendykes,” says Sewall.
“We are grateful to the following suppliers that came onboard to realise this project,” she says.
- Kitchen and laundry appliances: Fisher & Paykel.
- Fixtures and Fittings: Tradelink.
- Cladding, roof sheeting and roof plumbing: Fielders.
- Paint specification and supply: Taubmans.
- Windows: Accent Aluminium Windows & Doors.
- Ceiling fans: Universal Fans.
- Brick tiles: Form Brick.
- Hydronic heat pump: Automatic Heating.
- Solar install: BREC (panels supplied by Ying Li).
- Lighting design and supply: Studio All.
Your turn
Are you as moved as we are by this story of generosity? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to learn more about Architects Assist? Check out this story: Rebuilding Lives: Architects Offer Free Aid to Bushfire Victims
Are you as moved as we are by this story of generosity? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save these images, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Want to learn more about Architects Assist? Check out this story: Rebuilding Lives: Architects Offer Free Aid to Bushfire Victims
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La casa è molto bella e si inserisce benissimo nel paesaggio circostante, ma è soprattutto la storia di generosità e solidarietà che l'ha resa possibile a renderla unica. Grazie di averla pubblicata
chissà se anche in Italia ci sono store simili dopo le varie calamità che molti hanno dovuto affrontare in varie regioni: alluvioni, terremoti, eruzioni....
mi piacerebbe che venissero scovate e pubblicate!
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