Exemplar 2: Steendyk - Canoe Reach Residence

Plan View of canoe Reach Residence

The House is an environmental filter:

The site is located on a quiet section of the Brisbane river and gives residence a spectacular view of the natural environment behind. The openness of the house, particularly in the entertainment areas, allows the outside environment to play an important role within the house. the design of the office area allows the inhabitants to extend into nature and gives the feeling of a floating structure.

The houses orientation means the house will probable receive a lot of sun in the afternoon, while during the middle of the day the large roof structure should block most. The use of slats and blinds on windows means throughout the day, most sunlight should be blocked from the rooms.

The playfulness with topography has allowed entertaining areas over a number of levels while the use of hard and soft materials gives the house a modernistic yet comfortable look. The integration of much natural form into the site, through trees, grass and the river, means that the house will benefit from natural cooling methods. The slanted roof over the majority of the house means heat should be largely reflected off the house and the large open area should mean breeze is able to travel through.

The house is a container of human activities:

The house provides good contrast between public and private spaces through the placement of public on the lower level and private rooms on the upper. The public space is placed to give inhabitants the best possible views of the surrounding yard and beautiful river. Through the placement of private room on the upper level residence are given the spectacular views too. Windows and doors in the public rooms are large and open for large spaces will private rooms openings are smaller for a more comfortable and cosier environment.

The house is positioned on the rear of the block giving the residence the maximum view of the river and retreating them as far as possible from the road and outside environment. The entrance takes into consideration another level for entry and parking. The use of of a grass slope leading to the front of the house gives the impression that the house is rather small and secluded. As one passes through the house to the back however, they stumble onto the secret of the house.

The house is a delightful experience

The entrance to the house underneath gives the idea of an important and specific entry point, while the shade structure overhead gives the impression of trying to shield the user from the outside harshness of the sun, wind and rain. The open environment at the back gives the idea of a large entertaining space that could be thoroughly enjoyed. The diverse use of materials within the house give a very modern feeling, and through subtle, natural and dark colours give a very relaxed vibe.

This riverfront residence engages the landscape at the entry courtyard to visually minimise the garage and give the false appearance of a one story loggia. This sets up an unexpected arrival sequence to a central courtyard that opens up to a two story space with overhead parasol roof.

This courtyard is the central focus of the house which embraces the notion of an outdoor/ indoor area for the family to live in. Surrounding the court is a u-shaped plan that clearly focuses the houses attention towards the river. Living spaces including the kitchen, library and lounge box feed off the courtyard level. A spur to this is a steel and glass living pavilion that cantilevers out across the pool to take in breathtaking views up and down the Brisbane River.



In contrast the building utilizes warm masonry walls and timber trim that inextricably ties the main building to the ground. Bedrooms are organised above the living spaces of the courtyard, cleverly utilizing floor levels to maintain a hierarchy of privacy from the court.
(Beaver, 2008)


References

Beaver, Robyn. 2008. 100 Dream Houses from Down Under. Images Publishing Group. Victoria, Australia

Steendyk, 2010. http://www.steendyk.com/mainpage.htm (Accessed 15/3/2010)

(Images from both above sources)