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Carpenter Aaron Brown spent many childhood days mucking around with cousins on his family’s rugged alpine block located just outside Jindabyne.
In 2019, the opportunity to buy the adjacent 40 acre property became available, so Aaron and his brother decided to go halves. Purchasing the land was a chance for the brothers to raise their young families in the alpine area, with the added potential of creating accommodation on site. ‘The dream is for a handful of accommodation spaces that serve the wider community and allows people from all walks of life to enjoy the land’ says Sarah Blomkamp, Aaron’s partner and co-owner of Common Kosci.
Common Kosci is the first accommodation on the property built by Aaron and designed by their friend and frequent collaborator, architect Alan Powell.
Their vision was to create a humble cabin that gave guests the feeling of staying in the bush, without sacrificing on modern comforts. The property needed to be durable to withstand occasional snow in winter, and the threat of bushfire in summer.
A few key materials guided the aesthetics, including a modified version of shou sugi ban (a traditional Japanese method of charring timber with fire) cladding made using jarrah instead of traditional cedar. ‘Seen in alpine climates, not only do the dark tones contrast superbly against a blanket of snow, but the wood is preserved so no future maintenance is required,’ says Sarah.
The shou sugi ban cladding wraps around two ‘pods’ in the building (one containing the two bedrooms, the other the communal areas) connected by a small hall. Pitched ceilings are reminiscent of cabins found in the Netherlands, while offering the feeling of a larger space.
The interiors were designed with Kelly Taylor to offer a ‘camp-like feel’ comprising OSB timber-lined walls and natural timber finishes. Skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows are positioned to capture the outdoors at every opportunity.
Guests can also appreciate the property outside from the outdoor shower, custom net hammock, and fire pit. Sarah says it’s this surrounding environment that makes Common Kosci so enchanting.
‘When the builders were building it, there was one chippy who practiced their morning yoga on the dusty floorboards,’ she says. ‘There was a special soothing vibe to the place even with sawdust on the floor and in the air. Something about the cabin makes you slow down, appreciate nature, and connect to one another.’
Common Kosci is ideal for a relaxing weekend getaway, or as a base to explore the Snowy Mountains and Kosciuszko National Park. The property sleeps six guests and is located about 30 minutes from both Thredbo and Perisher ski resorts.
Sarah says, ‘It was made with love with the intention to offer a memorable experience to all those that venture there.’
