Sjøhavn House, A Riverfront Retreat by Lightbody Architects

Date of Publishing: February 28, 2024

Contents

Architecture Design of Sjøhavn House

Description About The Project

Sjøhavn Sjøhavn House, aptly named for its Scandinavian roots meaning ‘Sea Gardens,’ epitomizes a harmonious blend of design and environment nestled within Australia’s Noosa River network. Embracing the essence of leisure and tranquility, this riverside abode seamlessly integrates with its natural surroundings while ingeniously addressing flood-sensitive challenges.

Crafted to reflect the client’s vision of a familial sanctuary, the architectural ethos revolves around connectivity and privacy. Each space, delineated by simple yet functional volumes, converges to create interstitial havens where occupants can find solace amidst communal areas. The minimalist material palette fosters cohesion, blurring the lines between internal sanctums and the great outdoors.

Central to the design is a double-height void that not only visually unifies the dwelling but also establishes a tangible link between the interior and the river’s edge. This gesture extends outward to form inviting external living spaces, reminiscent of traditional ‘verandahs,’ offering retreat and connection to the serene waters beyond.

Concrete emerges as the cornerstone material, chosen for its durability, thermal properties, and aesthetic versatility. Its implementation liberates the ground plane, allowing for lush landscaping to envelop the upper levels, seamlessly merging architecture with nature. Passive design principles, coupled with concrete’s inherent thermal mass, ensure comfort and sustainability, enabling the home to harmonize effortlessly with its climatic context.

Sjøhavn stands as a testament to thoughtful design, where every element is meticulously crafted to evoke a sense of belonging within the embrace of the river’s embrace, transcending mere shelter to become a sanctuary for the soul.

The Architecture Design Project Information:

Project Name: Sjøhavn House
Location: Noosa Heads, Australia
Project Year: 2023
Area: 483 m²
Designed by: Lightbody Architects
Interior Design: Ruby Pakenham

Sjøhavn House, A Riverfront Retreat by Lightbody Architects

External Living Area: Primary external living area with smaller intimate spaces for retreat and reflection.

The Sjøhavn House Gallery:

Text by the Architects: The name ‘Sjøhavn’ was inspired by the client’s Scandinavian origin and meant ‘Sea Gardens.’ Situated within the Noosa River network in Australia, the location is well known for being a place of leisure and relaxation for locals and tourists. Being riverfront, the house required a design response sensitive to flood levels. The underlying principle of the project was to design a family home that responded to the natural surroundings while creating an overall sense of connection and providing interstitial spaces for retreat and privacy. A connection between the ground plane and the river’s edge was an important consideration identified during the initial briefing.

Photo credit: | Source: Lightbody Architects

For more information about this project; please contact the Architecture firm :
– Add: Level 1/181 Robertson St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006, Australia
– Tel: +61 412 440 654
– Email: design@lightbodyarchitects.com.au