Time and Tide—Delicate Pavilion on Queensland Riparian Foreshore

Tucked behind the riparian foreshore of Currimundi Lake in Queensland, Paperbark Pod sensitively nestles into the landscape for the established Paperbark trees to take centre stage. Designed by Bark Architects, this home was developed alongside a masterplan for a future multi-generational home. 

Having already fallen in love with the iconic landscape and family ties in the area, owner Alys Hohnen jumped at the opportunity of a block of land with direct access to the lake. Originally intended as a weekend getaway, Alys now finds herself spending the majority of her time here and returning to Brisbane as required. A key priority established early in the design process was to connect the surrounding landscape through the house and take full advantage of the favourable subtropical weather.

The site has a beautiful ring of existing paperbark trees on the north-west corner that is seen extending across the road toward the river’s edge. Melaleuca trees are prominent throughout the area and can grow in groups where they are in constant conversation with each other. Acknowledging this, Bark Architects designed a delicate pavilion perched on the eastern boundary to pay homage to these trees and allow for a generous landscaped area. “If it wasn’t built in stages, we probably wouldn’t have put the house on the edge of the site,” Alys says. “It’s worked out so beautifully that we have such a green space. We can just lie in bed and look out in the garden … it’s so heavenly.”

The pod is skillfully placed at the ideal height. “It is less than a metre to ground level and rests on a platform without balustrades, meaning the house almost floats above the landscape … just enough to give that nice relationship to the street,” Bark’s Stephen Guthrie explains. “Along the foreshore it is just constant bikes, scooters, people walking and running, so it connects Alys to her community really well in terms of that section.” It is also tall enough to afford views through the existing trees to the tidal lake beyond which creates unique relationships. “When my partner plays the piano, sometimes we hear clapping from the lake,” describes Alys. “There is a strong sense of community here, nobody wants to move out.” With her love of gardening and composting, at times Alys leaves a little bucket on her entry seat for neighbours to fill with their food scraps for her worms. This fuels the edible vegetable garden and maintains the endemic landscape design.

Large paperbark trees line the street elevation with a simple timber fence and entry seat below. Stacking doors fold away to blur the indoor/outdoor threshold of the living spaces and in turn create an uninterrupted connection over the north- facing deck to the lake. “You walk in, it’s so simple and modest that it gives you a feeling of serenity,” says Alys. The piano and television are strategically tucked away into integrated nooks to preserve the simplicity of living spaces.

Tones from the paperbark trees and surrounding native plants are mimicked in the material palette as you walk through the sequence of cosy spaces. Australian-grown plywood lines the floors, wall and ceilings and is complemented by patinated copper in the kitchen and bathroom, while the exterior of the home is clad in fibre cement referencing the surrounding coastal shack vernacular. The result is a home that radiates comfort and familiarity. There are moments of peace scattered through the home; an inviting floating bed overlooking the garden with a variety of books to keep one company, or a shower that opens to the deck privately screened by growing vines. “Being on the north, the quality of light that reflects on the soffit from the pool is probably one of the most magic elements in the design… it just reminds you that you’re right on the water,” says Bark Architects’ Lindy Atkin. Alys regularly relishes this space. “I love early mornings sitting on the front deck. I love watching the tide come in and out at the lake. It’s a tidal lake which is really special,” she says.

Along each side of the house, a series of louvres hug the perimeter to promote cross ventilation, maximise light and capture different angles in the garden. The home fully embraces the subtropical environment for year-round outdoor living with operable elements controlling the climate. Regardless of your position in the house, you can always orientate yourself toward a garden or be guided by a framed vista. “I’ve got the louvres opened up and you can see out to the garden but the garden is not in the way,” describes Alys. “You get different glimpses of the landscape from when you are in there.”

Paperbark Pod provides a glowing example of simple done well. It forges meaningful connections between the indoors and out as well as connections to the wider community to create a source of local pride.

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