THE SHACK: An Interview with Kris Keen from Keen Architecture

What was the initial inspiration behind The Shack?

We’d actually been in Byron Bay a few weeks before the inception of this design and had been sketching a plan for a project there. The Northern Rivers region has a lot of light breeze, coastal Queenslander homes due to the climate. Perth really lends itself to this coastal vibe, but it’s still stuck in the ‘double brick is best’ era. Lightweight construction naturally aligns with the beachy weatherboard feel and so does modular construction. So The Shack definitely takes influence from that, while still trying to give it a more local and warm ‘down south’ feel.

How did PIQUE’s brief influence your approach?

Modular construction is all about… modules! The challenge is creating forms that don’t feel like stacked Lego blocks. That was part of what made the Samson Street project so successful, breaking away from the typical modular response. For The Shack, we again wanted forms that overlap a grid-like block format and then break down the boxiness. It makes construction a little more tricky, but that’s where the uniqueness comes in. We also looked at connection points – they can easily become giveaways in modular builds, so we created details that act as a rhythm in the facade, helping to blur the lines between forms.

How did you approach designing a two-storey modular home that still feels open and connected?

Indoor-outdoor connection is a big request, and a great response is a large openable glazing that creates free flowing movement between zones. Blurring thresholds diminishes the sense of separation and helps the spaces feel bigger and more connected. That is a major part of how The Shack maintains openness across two levels without compromising the benefits of modular construction.

What were some of the biggest design considerations or constraints?

Transport and practicality are always at the forefront. The whole ethos of modular is making building achievable in places where it normally isn’t and the home still needs to get there in one piece… or four pieces, in this case. Any external articulation needs to accommodate transport constraints but also site constraints, especially because things like scaffold aren’t always available. Every element needs to be able to be fitted simply and safely without the typical layers of on-site trades.

Did the modular nature of the project create limitations?

Honestly, I don’t think modular limits design any more than a conventional build. The only real limitation is budget, which applies to every type of construction. If anything, modular unlocks interesting opportunities. I’d happily take on any client who wants to test that. Complex shapes just mean more puzzle pieces and more trucks. I’d love to do a project with curves one day and watch the pieces come together on site. Complex forms bring complex connections, but with today’s 3D software, there’s always a pathway forward. I can’t imagine a design challenge we couldn’t work through.

What is your favourite element within the design?

Very similar to Samson Street, I love that you can look at The Shack and not immediately know that it’s modular. It feels warm, inviting and architecturally resolved on its own terms. It is a successful design, not just a successful modular design. That distinction is really important.

How do you see modular architecture evolving over the next few years?

I think and hope that modular continues to gain acceptance. It’s had some unfortunate perceptions in the past, but that is changing, and hopefully The Shack becomes another example that helps shift that thinking. Modular is incredibly efficient in time, which means cost, and in energy and environmental impact, with fewer trade movements and deliveries. It’s got to be the way of the future.

Finally, how would you describe The Shack using only three words?

Coastal, Homely, Efficient.

Keen Architecture’s approach blends creativity, architectural intelligence and a deep understanding of how people want to live. And the result? A design that feels effortless connected and undeniably PIQUE.

If Samson Street gave a taste of what modular can do, The Shack is here to ruffle feathers and show where it can go next.