Kunama Townhouses East Jindabyne

Set in Australia’s alpine high country, Mountains is a rugged yet refined accommodation project that brings together prefabricated mass timber construction and modular innovation. Working from a design led by architect Nikki Quittner and draftsman Daniel Kroenert, Brother Nature was engaged to resolve design complexities, adapt the building to Cross Laminated Timber (CLT), and manage the planning and construction processes. CLT was selected for its thermal efficiency, strength-to-weight ratio, rapid assembly potential, and synergy with the builder’s sustainability-led approach. The timber structure is left exposed throughout, with raked ceilings and wall panels celebrating the material’s inherent warmth and precision.

To accelerate the construction timeline, modular bathroom pods were integrated into the prefabrication strategy—24 in total—assembled on-site in just 13 days by a compact team new to both systems. The overall form features a subtle 3-degree splay, a strategic move that aligns each serviced apartment with uninterrupted views of the Snowy Mountains landscape. Internally, natural finishes, tactile surfaces and carefully chosen fixtures create a sense of comfort and durability, reflecting the outdoor experience while providing year-round shelter. As the first industrialised construction project for Brother Nature, Mountains proves that regional builds can deliver both architectural integrity and off-site efficiency.