Exemplar Two

Canoe Reach Residence

This house is located in the Brisbane suburb of Yeronga and lies directly on the river front. Designed by Brisbane architect Brian Steendyk, it was completed in 2007. Here is a link to Steendyk's website http://steendyk.com/index.htm


When you first see this house, it appears as a one story building sitting on top of a hill. However, you soon realise this isn't the case. The slope of the land was man-made to suit the entrance specifically, as can be seen below. The entry has been carefully controlled to heighten the experience of crossing the threshold. The pathway is carved into the side of the sloping hill, compressing the users space. Simultaneously it slopes downwards evoking the feeling you are going deeper underground. This pressure is then released into the vast courtyard which hits the user with great force. (The Australian Institute of Architects, 2009.)

The courtyard is probably the most striking feature of this house. The notion of a courtyard dates back hundreds of years, but this particular one has been executed with its own originality. Firstly, the fourth wall is non-existent and as such provides a space that is neither inside or outside; secondly, the courtyard acts as the living room, a space that people inhabit as the centre of a house. The floor plan falls into the simplistic shape of a "U" around the courtyard. This then forces the occupant to acknowledge the views of the river. Bedrooms are situated on the upper floor and provide a place to escape to while still feeling connected to the centralilty of the house. (Steendyk, n.d.)
 

Although the house is partially outside, a number of elements have been established to protect against bad weather. For example, the kitchen which is connected to the courtyard has "retractable sliding doors" (Stutchbury, Wallace and Queensland Art Gallery, 2008.) which can separate the two spaces. A living pavillion, cantilevered over the pool, acts as a second living room, which showcases breath-taking views of the river. This pavillion is predominantly made of glass and steel, giving it a sleek and modern look. Steendyk has described this as a "homage to his teacher in Chicago, Myron Goldsmith, who was project architect for Mies van der Rohe's famous 'glass box', the Farnsworth House." (Stutchbury, Wallace and Queensland Art Gallery, 2008.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pavillion's transparency is harmonised with the main building's use of warm colours and materials, such as timber, which tie the building back to it's location in nature. Finally, a lush garden occupies the space between the edge of the house and the river, further adding to the picturesque vistas. (World Architecture News, 2008.)

 

 References

The Australian Institute of Architects. 2009. Canoe Reach Residence, Yeronga. http://www.architecture.com.au/awards_search?option=showaward&entryno=2008041485 (accessed 8th March, 2010)

Steendyk. n.d. Canoe Reach Residence. 
http://www.steendyk.com/mainpage.htm (accessed 8th March 2010).

Stutchbury, Wallace and Queensland Art Gallery. (2008). Place Makers: Contemporary Queensland Architects. South Brisbane: Queensland Art Gallery.

World Architecture News. 2008. Down by the River. http://www.worldarchitecturenews.com/index.php?fuseaction=wanappln.projectview&upload_id=10702 (accessed 8th March, 2010).