Lyon Housemuseum : By Lyons

Kew, Victoria, Australia
Lyons
Post By:Kitticoon Poopong

Photo © Courtesy of Dianna Snape

The Lyon Housemuseum is an experimental project which speculates on the conjunction of art and living, challenges conventional notions of public and private and explores new relationships between art and architecture through a new hybridised type – a ‘housemuseum’.

Photo © Courtesy of Dianna Snape

Photo © Courtesy of Dianna Snape

Located in Melbourne Australia the building accommodates the daily living needs of a family of four and the requirements of a public museum housing a major collection of Australian contemporary art. The building is open weekly for public tours and for research visits by academics and students. The Housemuseum also hosts an annual program of concerts, artist and architecture talks and other cultural events.

Photo © Courtesy of Dianna Snape

Two large double height spaces – a ‘white cube’ and ‘black box’ – anchor the two ends of the building and are designed explicitly as museum spaces. Private domestic spaces for the family are defined with enclosed boxlike forms and are located across the two levels of the building.

Photo © Courtesy of Dianna Snape

Photo © Courtesy of Dianna Snape

Photo © Courtesy of Dianna Snape

The spaces in the building are ambiguous in their typological readings – the family kitchen doubles as museum café, the black box showing video art is also used for home movies and sleepovers. The private study functions as a research library for visiting academics and students.

Photo © Courtesy of Dianna Snape

Photo © Courtesy of Dianna Snape

Photo © Courtesy of Dianna Snape

Photo © Courtesy of Dianna Snape

Photo © Courtesy of Dianna Snape

Photo © Courtesy of Dianna Snape

Photo © Courtesy of Dianna Snape

Photo © Courtesy of Dianna Snape

Photo © Courtesy of Dianna Snape

Photo © Courtesy of Dianna Snape

ground floor plan--drawing Courtesy of Lyons

first floor plan--drawing Courtesy of Lyons

south & north elevation--drawing Courtesy of Lyons

east elevation--drawing Courtesy of Lyons

section--drawing Courtesy of Lyons

3D diagram--drawing Courtesy of Lyons

panelling diagram--drawing Courtesy of Lyons

sketch--drawing Courtesy of Lyons

The people

Architects: Lyons
Location: Kew, Victoria, Australia
Structural & Civil Consultant: Bonacci Group
Building Surveyor: City of Boroondara
Builder: Len Bogatin & Associates
Project Area: 1,350 sqm
Project Year: 2009
Photographs: Dianna Snape

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