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LAMB

Elbow River
House
Calgary
Canada house on a river edge
spaces shaped to the bend
lifted up from the flood zone
sloping roof collects rain



The main living space on the second floor has faceted floor to ceiling windows that follow the curve of the river.
Cabinetry and shelving designed for an extensive fragrance collection. A well placed translucent window enhances the clarity of light in the narrow space.
Turkish hamam inspired steam bath with heated stone plinth in the foreground.
This section through the house shows the relationship of the flood line to the main living area on the second floor. The house is cut through the main double-height entry stair which connects seamlessly to the rear terrace and stair down to the landscape.





A house for two on a street next to a river. The river has a history of occasional flooding, and with climate changing unpredictably, special considerations were needed. The main living quarters and sensitive mechanical spaces are located above the 100-year flood line. Exterior materials of concrete and metal are durable enough to withstand Calgary's harsh winters and potential future flood events. The roof is shaped to collect rainwater, which is then distributed at a slow rate into the landscape.
       One of the rewarding things I find about working on a ground-up house is how the design can respond directly to the unique personalities of the owners and the circumstances of the site. How can the design of a place foster the things you enjoy, the things that are important to you? Or how can a house relate to its physical surroundings? In some cases this can be very direct—for example, a shelving cabinet designed specifically for an individual's fragrance collection. At other times, design can only attempt to be a manifestation of an idea, and it's up to us to notice. When entering the Elbow River House, the stair rises just above the 100-year flood level and there is a clear view straight through the house out to the river.
Details:
3,690 square feet
Concrete , steel and wood framing
Status, completed

Credits:
Work performed on behalf of Bohlin Cywinski Jackson while under employment. Copyright BCJ. Photography Nic Lehoux.


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Reach Out
nathan@
lambprojects.com
206 295-8671
Portland, Oregon
Licenses:
Oregon ARI-15588
Washington 12169
Lamb Studio, LLC
EIN. 012345

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