Meera's amenities block
New amenities block
As I type, a new building is rising up to complement Meera, our venue for the incredible UnmaniMusic superadobe studio teaching piano and for event hire.
We are on the way now with two beautiful, top of the range compostable loos and an outdoor shower.
The building is situated beside the access parking and has a generous access ramp.
Creative challenges
Every step of the way with Meera was solved using the ages old building code of common sense, experience, use of readily available materials preferably recycled where possible, and hearty sprinkles of creative thinking.
And the amenities block is following suit.
Our brief is
create a structure that fits Meera’s ‘vibe’,
has a compostable loo
makes a ‘visit’ a unique experience.
Maximum use of recycled and locally sourced resources
1.Meera’s Vibe
First challenge is this toilet block can’t be round like Meera - we don’t have the space close by. So, we are gloriously rectilinear with lots of subtle touches to soften the edges e.g. Some incredible wall art by Vadim Ragozin a Melbourne artist, which will be a nod to our local silo art trail, use of climbing plants on each end to blend the view into the generous boobialla - myoporum behind, and use of the softness of lime render on the internal walls which is sculptural and can easily produce little sconces and rolled edges or whatever we decide looks good in the moment.
2. The business - doing a job!
We needed to look after a possible crowd for an event of about 20, plus the weekly needs of students having piano lessons.
I also wanted to have a servicing schedule (clearing out the loo) and capacity that was simple, not too often and a pleasant job. The Clivus Multrum CM 14 with lovely porcelain pedestals was the choice. Cleaning out and depositing beautiful well composted earth under grateful fruit and garden trees will be a welcome annual job with a very small amount of weekly maintenance.
3. A unique ‘visit’ experience.
We are letting our imaginations free at this stage, considering tiling for ease of cleaning (moroccan?,mexican?) a painted ceiling, a clear beautiful windowed Wimmera sky to view while on the ‘throne’, books to read, a nice potted palm - all fun and games to dream up.
Also while on the throne, an ‘honesty ‘window in each - to look through the rendered wall and appreciate the love that goes into the render and overall creation.
All workers on this site have been highly skilled in their area of practical expertise and willing to think ‘out of the square’ literally and figuratively. In this case a local builder has been PERFECT. Thank you. You know who you are!!