The Temple is located in Nungurner, on Gunai Kurnai Land in far eastern Victoria. This adaptive reuse project reinvents an old octagonal structure which has former lives as a lantern museum in nearby Metung, and a museum of local artefacts in the 80's on it's current site.

Furniture was made from offcut timber and planed back Merbau timber salvaged from the existing decaying steps.

Objects were sourced from a garage and the local op shop

A solar shower fixed to the roof heats up naturally through the day. It was built from an old shower head and salvaged PVC pipe.

The mezzanine was critical to maintaining an open floor plan below. The 4 metre ceilings of the existing structure allowed a whole new space to be added. The floor is lined with salvaged decking from the old perimeter deck, allowing light to still filter through the floor.

The original structure had been unloved for multiple decades but was yearning for a new life. The view over the Gippsland Lakes was unbeatable so the journey would always be worth it. One hundred new native trees were also planted around the structure as the land had struggled to regenerate since being cleared for farming.

The new deck provides a simple platform for hanging out in the sun, essentially doubling the floor area.

This photo is from the 80's when the octagon was first brought to Nungurner from Metung on a crane.

The old merbau stringers that were to become the benches.

The original hardwood cladding was sorted, and reinstated after a gentle charring. The ancient Japanese technique provides a protective char layer to the timber.

The charred cladding brings a beautiful deep colour and texture.

Offcuts of the fibreglass decking were used for the floating steps. The decking material is a common material for jetties in the surrounding sailing towns.