Houzz Tour: A Story of Hope and Kindness After a Devastating Fire
When a firefighter and his family lost their home in the 2020 Australian bushfires, the design community stepped in
David and Barbara (Dave and Barb) Rugendyke lost their home in Cobargo, New South Wales, Australia on New Year’s Day 2020 during the state’s catastrophic ‘Black Summer’ bushfires – as did more than 400 others in the region and thousands more across the country. It was a devastating loss for a couple who’ve spent their lives helping others; Dave is a NSW Rural Fire Services (RFS) firefighter and the town’s Santa at Christmas, and the couple have fostered more than 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. One of the initiatives established was Architects Assist, a referral service founded by architect Jiri Lev that connects those who’ve 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 firm Breathe Architecture. The firm was happy not just to plan and design a new family home pro bono for Dave and Barb, but to ask 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. One of the initiatives established was Architects Assist, a referral service founded by architect Jiri Lev that connects those who’ve 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 firm Breathe Architecture. The firm was happy not just to plan and design a new family home pro bono for Dave and Barb, but to ask 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.
“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,” Madeline says.
“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,” Madeline says.
“At Breathe, we always prioritise ethics along with aesthetics,” Madeline says. “Smaller footprints, fewer 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% fossil fuel free in operation – there’s no gas here,” she continues. “Ultimately, we wanted to create a comfortable family home for the kind and generous people who would live here.”
“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% fossil fuel free in operation – there’s no gas here,” she continues. “Ultimately, we wanted to create a comfortable family home for the kind and generous people who would live here.”
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,” Madeline says.
“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,” she says.
“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,” she says.
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,” Dave says. “Barb loves the Fisher & Paykel kitchen appliances; the wonderful oven and [hob], the fancy dishwasher and the beautiful refrigerator.”
See projects and read reviews for home renovation professionals in your area on Houzz.
See projects and read reviews for home renovation professionals in your area on Houzz.
For the materials palette, Breathe specified the following:
- Zincalume (a mix of zinc, aluminium and silicon) 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.
The colour palette cleverly references the tones and textures of the surrounding landscape. “[Paint company] Taubmans’ coloursmith, Rachel Lacy, worked closely with Dave, Barb and their children to create colours rich with meaning,” Madeline 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 utility room, 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 utility room, was colour-smithed from a photo of a sunset across the Cobargo region,” she says.
Madeline says this is the most rewarding project she’s 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’ve done in every community they’ve lived in,” she says.
“We designed the home during 2020’s Covid-19 lockdowns, so meeting in person wasn’t 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 wasn’t 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,” Dave says. “Our new home is a beautiful tribute to that kindness and generosity.”
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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, while 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’s really highlighted how much initiatives such as Architects Assist are needed,” Madeline says.
“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’s really highlighted how much initiatives such as Architects Assist are needed,” Madeline says.
“We are grateful to the following suppliers that came onboard to realise this project,” Madeline 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.
Who lives here? Dave and Barbara Rugendyke and their children
Location Cobargo, NSW, Australia
Property A bungalow
Architect Breathe Architecture
Photos by Pablo Veiga
Styling by 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 firefighters who had lost their own homes defending other people’s homes and lives,” Madeline Sewall, director of houses at Breathe, says.
“We contacted the RFS, who connected us to firefighter Dave Rugendyke, whose home had burned to the ground. The couple found themselves under-insured and starting from scratch,” she says.