Exemplar Houses - Part A

Tubac House


(Image: Tubac House. http://www.housedesignidea.com/contemporary-residental-house-in-arizona-tubac-house-by-studio-rick-joy-architect/ 2009. [accessed 24 March, 2010])

My first exemplar house is Tubac House, designed by Rick Joy in 2000. This house, located in a desert climate in Arizona, caught my attention due to the unusual material of rusted steel panels as external cladding. Upon further research, it was shown that Tubac house is a highly emotive, yet simple building design. From my research, the following main points, which will be covered further in Part B, describe the experience of the house.

Environmental Filter:

• The house acts as an environmental filter as it draws heavily on its relationship with the surrounding environment.
• The house is physically embedded within the site, almost camouflage to the eye.
• The house contains large framing windows which flattens the landscape as if to create a monumental painting. (House Design Idea. 2009)

Container of Human Activities:

• The house is ingeniously angled to exploit precisely framed views in all directions and the overall effect is serene and sophisticated. (Urbanzeitgeist. 2005)

Delightful experience:

• Tubac House is a contemporary minimalistic house which has strong themes dealing with sensory contrast.

House Design Idea. 2009. Contemporary Residental House in Arizona-Tubac House by Studio Rick Joy Architect. http://www.housedesignidea.com/contemporary-residental-house-in-arizona-tubac-house-by-studio-rick-joy-architect/ [accessed 5 March, 2010].

Urbanzeitgeist. 2005. Tubac house by Rick Joy. http://www.urbanzeitgeist.com/design/tubac_house_rick_joy.html [accessed 4 March, 2010].


Gully House


(Image: Gully House. http://arkinetia.com/articulos/art123.aspx 2006. [accessed 24 March, 2010])

My second exemplar house is The Gully House designed by Bligh Voller Neild (BVN) in association with Daniel R. Fox (2004) (Bligh Voller Neild. 2009). This house interested me as it has a strong connection and relationship with its site. The site contains numerous restraints and the house responds accordingly so that it had little environmental impact.

Environmental Filter:

• The house is situated in a secluded site, nestled in between trees and within a gully.
• The house is in a low lying area and located near the Brisbane River, hence, is potentially subjected to flooding. Therefore, the architect was required to raise the living floor above the flood line. The lower floor accommodates cars, storage and the water tanks. (Bligh Voller Neild. 2009)
• The accommodation spaces were arranged over three levels so it maintained a small footprint. (Bligh Voller Neild. 2009)
• The character of the house and the method of construction responds to the particular physical characteristics of the site. (Bligh Voller Neild. 2009)


(Image: Gully House Drawings. http://arkinetia.com/articulos/art123.aspx 2006. [accessed 24 March, 2010])

Container of Human activities:

• Access to the main upper living level is by a long bridge. Views towards the north and east overlooking adjoining gardens are provided to the large living areas (study, guest room, kitchen, laundry and guest bathroom) and by openings onto a large north facing deck which is connected to the garden by stairs. (Arquitectura Arkinetia. 2006)
• The house is ideal for privacy and seclusion.
• Large bay windows which frame the river are situated in the study and master bedroom.


(Image: Gully House Plans. http://arkinetia.com/articulos/art123.aspx 2006. [accessed 24 March, 2010])

Delightful experience:

• Black stained plywood comprises the external cladding of the house making the building appear visually less imposing by helping it recede into the shadowy setting. (Arquitectura Arkinetia. 2006)
• Surrounded by trees, the house is shielded from the surrounding houses, evoking feelings of intimacy and privacy.

Bligh Voller Neild. 2009. Gully House. http://www.blighvollernield.com.au/projects/gully_house.html?OpenDocument&idx=Type&pcat=Residential&tpl=ext [accessed 1 March, 2010]

Arquitectura Arkinetia. 2006. Bligh Voller Nield – Australia http://arkinetia.com/articulos/art123.aspx [accessed 1 March, 2010].



Canoe Reach Residence


(Image: Canoe Reach Residence. http://static.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/10702_1_STEENDYK%20canoe%20reach%202008-02.jpg 2008. [accessed 24 March, 2010])

Canoe Reach Residence, designed by Steendyk, is residential house located on the Brisbane River in Yeronga. Similar to the Gully House, this house is interesting in how it interacts and reacts to the environment. It has responded to the narrow and undulated site in which it is sited, and engages with the Brisbane River. The structure accommodates the delightful aspects of the panoramic views of the river but also contains an excellent, resolved spatial form and environmentally aware house.

Environmental Filter

• The courtyard roof opens on numerous sides to ventilate certain areas within the household. (100 Dream Houses from Down Under. 2008)
• Solar resistance devices such as single-pane glazing and retractable external blinds are employed to protect the west-facing facades. (100 Dream Houses from Down Under. 2008)


(Image: Canoe Reach Residence. 100 Dream Houses from Down Under. 2008. The Images)

Container of Human Activity

• The resident employs architectural details to define spaces that engage senses.
• The architect utilised the opportunity for prime views of the Brisbane River by positioning living areas and a ‘living pavilion’ facing the water.
• Private spaces such as bedrooms are organised above living spaces to maintain ‘hierarchy of privacy’ within house. (100 Dream Houses from Down Under. 2008)

Delightful Experience

• Panoramic views of the Brisbane river.
• Contemporary materials utilised to give a clean and modern appearance.
• The building is a ‘U’ shape to maximise views of the river. Also, the ‘U’ shape enables cross ventilation to occur in the single-depth rooms (Environmental filter). (House Design News. 2009)

100 Dream Houses from Down Under. 2008. Australia: The Images Publishing Group.

House Design News. 2009. Canoe Reach Residence in Australia by Steendyk Architects. http://www.housedesignnews.com/home-ideas/canoe-reach-residence-in-australia-by-steendyk-architects/ [accessed 2 March, 2010].