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Arbour House - Residential Architecture

Arbour House

Residential, Interior Architecture

Arbour House

Residential, Interior Architecture

Arbour House

Residential, Interior Architecture

Arbour House

Residential, Interior Architecture

Arbour House

Residential, Interior Architecture

Arbour House

Residential, Interior Architecture

Arbour House

Residential, Interior Architecture

Arbour House

Residential, Interior Architecture

Arbour House

Residential, Interior Architecture

Arbour House

Residential, Interior Architecture

Arbour House

Residential, Interior Architecture

Arbour House

Residential, Interior Architecture

Arbour House

Residential, Interior Architecture

Arbour House

Residential, Interior Architecture

Arbour House

Residential, Interior Architecture

Arbour House

Residential, Interior Architecture

Arbour House

Residential, Interior Architecture

Arbour House

Residential, Interior Architecture

Arbour House

Residential, Interior Architecture

Arbour House

The two-storey dwelling adopts a courtyard typology with two pavilions linked by a large double height stairwell and external courtyard.

Location
New Farm, Queensland

Status
Completed 2009

Gross Floor Area
590m²

Context

Arbour House, located on the Bulimba Reach of the Brisbane River, is a study in siting and intricate articulation to yield views and landscape connections.

The long thin 13 meter wide site is located between two key public spaces, namely an established historic arbour of fig trees and a public riverfront boardwalk. The site which once formed part of the surrounding multi-residential enclave is now distinguished by a new single detached dwelling. Unlike other riverfront houses, the new dwelling is sited a respectful distance from the rivers edge, preserving an 80 year old Poinciana tree and historic public views from the boardwalk of the adjoining heritage listed dwelling.

Concept

The large setback creates a platform for a private garden under the shade of the canopy of the Poinciana tree. The level of the platform and the height of the Poinciana tree and the Arbour established the two datums for the setout of public and private spaces of the dwelling. The public riverfront living levels are adjacent to this space whilst the rear living spaces are elevated above the garage to look into the canopy of the Arbour. The private bedroom spaces of the upper level are raised to a height to afford views of the tree canopy and river yet privacy from the public river boardwalk.

The northern face of the building form is articulated by rotating the external walls 15 degrees. The walls peel away from each other resulting in thin vertical fissures which allow northern light and breezes to filter through. The vertical fissures afford the significant rooms of the house a private visual connection to views down the longest reach of the Brisbane River.

Ground Floor Plan
Level 1 Plan
Reticence and elegant restraint allow this home on the Brisbane River to make the most of a wonderful riparian and heritage

Margie Fraser
Houses magazine, 2010

Awards Team Publications
RAIA Regional Commendation 2010
Australian Timber Design Award  2010
Structural & Civil Engineers Bornhorst & Ward
Hydraulic Engineers Cushway Blackford
Architizer 2012 Arbour House
Archello (website) 2012 Arbour House
Arch Daily (website) 2012 Arbour House
Architecture Durable May 2012 L’inscription dans son environnement
House and Garden Feb. 2012 Arbour View
House & Garden Nov. 2010 Height of Sophistication
Australian Timber Awards 2010 Arbour House
Brisbane City Magazine July 2010 Cover Page
Whites Magazine July 2010 Cover Page
21st Century Houses 2010 Arbour House
Houses 2010 Arbour House by Richard Kirk Architect
Freshome (website) 2010 Family Home Developed As a “Small Village

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