... Paddle Wheeler House 2000 ...

This project was finished in fall of 2000 with the conceptual idea coming from the romanticism of old steam boats. The location of the project, Howe Sound, inspired the thought. This project was exhibited at the Gallery of AIBC.

Every design feature of the project is connected or inspired by the steam boats, while at the same time providing for all the requirements of the program.

The main challenge was to keep all the existing trees of the site.

Another one was the presence of two carport entrances that the designer wanted to hide as much as possible. The latter is achieved by introducing a mid level, half into the ground, so although the carports are in front of the house they are not as prominent as one would expect.

This also allowed for the rest of the house to appear floating above the ground which was intended to give the house an appearance of a boat floating over water. The structural solution is greatly contributing the effect. House is floating on several beams and columns centrally located so they are not visible from outside. They are radially positioned resembling a structure of a paddle wheel.

Above the carports is an entry patio/deck accessed by a stair from the walkway. The patio has a “bridge” through a row of high trees leading to the main entrance. As a navigating room on a steam boat, this entrance is reminiscing of it in its form, and is completely glazed. A part of it is a small extension with a chess board table and two seats. The idea is to introduce light into the entrance as navigating force of a boat, and chess board as a symbol of mind navigating the house. This entrance contains a stair leading to the first roof patio.

The main core of the house has a radial plan with the columns supporting all the levels. This plan was again chosen to resemble a paddle wheel, with movements of people providing for the effect of wheel turning in horizontal plain. On the opposite side from the entrance stair there is another stair leading to the upper bedrooms. The two stairs and movements of people provided for the effect of vertical rotation of the wheel. The bedroom area has a slightly curved wall hinting a paddle wheel usually on that side of a steam boat.

Another element used from steam boats are two stacks, used as chimneys for the fireplace on the main level.