Riparian House

Riparian House, constructed by Cox Rayner is located along the Brisbane River in the suburb of St Lucia. Against Brisbane City Council regulations, the house itself extends beyond the riparian setback line, cantilevering only a short 6 metres from the river bank, 10 metres closer than current laws allow. This encroachment to river was accepted due to the face that house was built around an existing structure which was located on the site before the current house was constructed.

The House as an Environmental Filter


Riparian House's close proximity to the Brisbane river enables the house to engage with the environment in ways that most normal suburban houses are unable too. The house's narrow site seemingly confines the structure to its residential boundaries, but through the use of an open plan and fluid design of interconnected orthogonal spaces, the house literally breathes in its surroundings and flows out onto the river. It is through these spaces, air and light filtrate almost seamlessly throughout the house, breaking the boundaries of exterior and interior spaces, especially through the openings between the entertainment spaces and the garden. The rear of the house features an exterior glass wall which can be raised and lowered to either confine the indoor living spaces or open them up into a verandah area. Fly screens and sunscreens protect the majority of the internal spaces from two of the main local environmental factors of the Brisbane region, being mosquitos/flies and unbearable sunny days. The close proximity of the house to the river (its locations within the riparian set back line) also poses the threat of flooding, which the house experienced during the 2011 floods.


The houses physical appearance too melds with its exterior surrounds, with its materials, consisting mostly of zinc, stained boarding, battens, dark insitu concrete and tinted glass help the building visual adapt to its location. For example the house appearing almost invisible from the street, with only its steel letterbox, garage and entry pavilion hinting at the existence of the house. 


The House as a Container of Human Activity


The use of interconnected spaces allows for the easy movement of people through the house, as well as creating fluid spaces, meaning the space's use can change depending on the time of day. The design of the house also creates as before mentioned privacy from the street while opening the house up on to the river, creating a more enjoyable atmosphere for people to live within. Spaces can also too be changed from public to private spaces for example through the use of the rear moveable glass wall. The use of natural materials within the house is also enhanced through recessed lighting and borrowed natural light and a use of submissive colours, which also enriches the interactions people have within the spaces.


The House as a Delightful Experience


The houses size ensures its maintainability and efficiency, providing spaces which aren't difficult to accommodate or take care of. The materials used reflect the natural surrounds of the river while complimenting the simplicity of contemporary architecture, and the uniform patterns and flow which can be created through the varying use of textures. The river is an important focus with most areas of the house, through the use of its interconnected spaces, providing views and glimpses of the river through openings of doors and manoeuvrable walls, as well as through reflections in the casts amount of glass within the house. The manipulation and vast quantities of light within the house also provide effective spaces for the user, as do the flexibility and mobility of spaces.

Dedece. 2007. “Riparian Residence.”  Accessed March 11, 2011. http://www.dedece.com.au/projects/Riparian-residence/115/

Cox Rayner.  “Riparian House.” Accessed March 12, 2011. http://www.coxarchitecture.com.au/#/project/11351

Burgin, Mark (Cox Rayner). 2005. Cox Rayner 1995-2005 Works Projects. Australia.