yinjispace

ARCHITECTURE
Vaughan Howard Architects
INTERIOR
InPlace
PHOTOGRAPHY
Sean Fennessy
Derek Swalwell
EDITOR
Gina
Collection

First of all, the deepest respect should be paid to the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin ethnic group. They are the indigenous people of the Garambi Baan land and have guarded this river valley for generations. Riverbend House (formerly known as Cuming House) is located on a road called Laughing Waters at the confluence of the wide plain and the steep Warrandyte canyon in the Eltham - Yarra Valley. It is a path that has carried social, cultural and ecological significance since ancient times.

In 2015, the building was nearly abandoned and on the verge of being demolished. Fortunately, the non-profit art organization InPlace launched a rescue operation and, in collaboration with Parks Victoria and Wurundjeri Corporation, jointly promoted the establishment of the Garambi Baan cultural District, allowing artists to stay and create here, while restoring the forgotten cultural bonds and establishing connections with nature. Vaughan Howard Architects collaborated with InPlace, taking "restoration" as the core issue of Riverbend. This is not only the restoration of a building, but also the repair of the local culture and ecology, and a deep and powerful awakening of the memory of this land.

The building is located on the steep riverbank, with its form slightly unfolding and the view extending to both the upper and lower reaches. The entire structure is alternately composed of thick brick and stone columns and wooframe-framed glass curtain walls, with the landscape line of sight flowing through the interior like water. The restoration process began with the reconstruction of the roof and structure: replacing the Zincalume metal roof with the same material as the original, repairing the damaged eaves, and replacing the old asbestos material with hardwood plywood. All the log structures have been re-polished and oiled, and the newly added components have also been carefully designed, with weather-resistant steel echoing the proportion and rhythm of the original brick columns

The living area is the center of the residence, which unfolds around an open fireplace. The living room extends to a brick terrace that was re-laid by the original building craftsmen. The bricks are numbered one by one, dismantled, cleaned and reset. Standing on the terrace, the eel traps and the river are all within view, surrounded by native plants, making it one of the most touching Spaces. The kitchen uses handcrafted tiles from the local Melbourne brand Anchor Ceramics. The grayish-green glaze echoes the ceramic tradition of the Eltham area and seems to recreate the hazy beauty of eucalyptus leaves falling into the dust.

The bedroom is a quiet sanctuary while maintaining an intimate dialogue with nature. The newly laid sisal carpet has tones that echo the local brick soil, gravel and shale soil. The removed built-in wardrobe restored the original wooden wall, bringing the room back to its original proportion. The custom-made bed is made of steel frames combined with recycled Oregon wood, and every detail exudes simplicity and restraint.

The original walk-in tableware room was demolished, and the vacated space was used to add barrier-free shower facilities to the suite. The bathroom is inspired by the image of a "simple bathhouse". The floor is paved with terracotta bricks and is integrated with the outdoor terrace. The white glazed tiles reflect on the white eucalyptus trunks along the riverbank, looking clean and warm in the early morning sunlight. The deep-scale shower area has no partitions, keeping the space extremely pure and transparent.

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