The Bernstein Family Fire Appeal

Architect Marc and Designer Felicity Bernstein had a simple dream: to build their first family home as ethically and sustainably as possible. Their eco house would use much less energy than a conventional house, and would be a model to promote new ways to build comfortable homes for Australians. Everything about the house – building materials and construction methods – was designed to reduce energy costs. 

But a sudden terrible accident has derailed their lives completely.

Nearly three years ago,  they found a tiny unloved triangle of land next to railway line in inner Melbourne and kickstarted their dream. Bringing up three children and running a business meant thinking outside the box financially. To save money they packed up their rental house and moved into a campervan. It wasn’t easy for them and their growing kids – winter was the worst. 

After more than eighteen months they raised enough finance to get the house started, but it was a  struggle. The only way they could afford it was to do a lot of the work themselves. A seven-day-a-week commitment. But they knew it would be worth it.

After nearly two and half years of living in the campervan, Felicity and Marc finally told their kids that the house was nearly ready. Only three weeks to go. It looked like the big risks they’d taken were going to pay off. 

But then a freak accident on the building site changed everything. One spark, possibly from a blowtorch, found its way into an exposed wall cavity and set fire to the wood supporting the outside wall. Because the house was so well insulated, all signs of the fire were contained until it was well alight. The fire brigade poured around 150,000 litres of water onto it. The main shell survived, but everything else was ruined. 

Now Felicity and Marc are facing a huge cleanup and rebuilding bill as well as returning to the campervan for another winter. They are partly covered by insurance, but there will be a shortfall. And it’s impossible to put a figure on the time and mental effort they have put into building this home and the sacrifice that has meant for their business.

We're not asking for money to fund their rebuild, but are hoping that people might help them cover some of the shortfall incl their living expenses and high-interest loan repayments while the house is rebuilt. 

I’m a good friend of Marc and Felicity’s and together with friends and neighbours Linda Karafili and Greg Rafferty we’re encouraging the community to gather around and help this beautiful and thoughtful family in need. Any small amount you can contribute will help get them into the house they have invested so much in.

Mark Hanlin
Hampton VIC