L E T T E R B O X H O U S E




Architect: McBride Charles Ryan - Rob McBride & Debbie-Lyn Ryan
Location: Blairgowrie, Australia
Project Team: Adam Pustola, Meredith Dufour, Michael McManus, Angela Woda
Constructed Area: 290 sqm
Photographs: John Gollings




http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/4241/letterboxhousemcbridech.jpg

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/3197/letterboxhousemcbridechu.jpg






It’s like a half space, half enclosed, half open. Neither in nor out - a new version of the good old Aussie verandah.
Its like a giant multi-sensory organ, the sun, the sky, the breeze and the sound and smell of the sea - When you arrive here of an evening and stand here and see the stars, no matter how still it is, you smell the sea - suck it in, it transforms you, reminds you (of what matters), it’s a kind of tonic.


http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/4241/letterboxhousemcbridech.jpg


We like the buildings that make you smile (not laugh).It makes people smile, a building with the smallest façade on the peninsula - the building begins as the letterbox and unfurls to become this healthy scaled verandah, to some it is an upturned boat, to others it a wave a cliff. We like it being many things - people stop and ask us, we just say it is what it is to you.

We wanted to show respect - the peninsula needs it, and the scale here was modest beach suburban - we wanted to respect that scale - and yet as you walk along the deck the scale sneaks up on you - before you know it your immersed and surrounded by the scale of the house - a bit like life really.




http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/4241/letterboxhousemcbridech.jpg

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/6770/letterboxhousemcbridechc.jpg


The peninsula is the place where you suspend formality and convention for a while - we wanted the building to do this and to remind you of that - it moves too far from architectural convention towards the other disciplines - that was the intention. It becomes ambiguous - What is it? Where is the front door? You don’t need a ‘front door’ in a holiday house - you just find your way in.

Late on a sunny afternoon, when you are all salty, it is a great place to sit; the afternoon sun gives the wall a golden glow, which is echoed by the golden beer in your hand. You sit and watch the kids do what kids do - the things they forget to do when you are in the city.



http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/6286/elevation.jpg


The inside of this golden wall is vivid red; the support structure and the support shelves which in time will become deposits of beach memories, the much leafed book, the photos, the bric-a-brac of beach holidays and markers of the quintessential Australian family life - when that happens maybe that will then become ‘my space’ also.


http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4241/letterboxhousemcbridech.jpg

http://www.thecoolhunter.net/images/stories/2007pics/storiesnew2007pics/marchpics/letterboxhouse3.jpg



http://www.thecoolhunter.net/images/stories/2007pics/storiesnew2007pics/marchpics/letterboxhouse6.jpg


:cheers:


http://www.thecoolhunter.net/images/stories/2007pics/storiesnew2007pics/marchpics/letterboxhouse4.jpg

It´s a very intresting experimental skin of wood.... In the interiors works perfect too..!

vey very sexy house : 10 !!!

interesting indeed. 7

Gave it an 8 by accident (I was talking on the phone) :'( Meant to gave it a 9 :yes:

reminds me of the rock

9

:cheers:


http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/2051/letterboxhousemcbridechk.jpg

8,5/10

8/10

Well...é mesmo, Tony !

coming soonnew pics of this nice house......

Closed poll!!!!

No problem Nikko.....You can look a master work of australian architecture !



.

a very nice work....


http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Js0pScNEBO4/Sdsyengu3eI/AAAAAAAAAnY/OO3ehSg8gnA/s1600/letterboxhouse.jpg



.

9/10

fresh & very nice house : 10 !

unique.
8/10

7/10

8/10

8/10

8/10