In our busy harried lives, “downtime” is a cause to celebrate; exactly what this boathouse on the steeply sloped banks of Lake Austin does.
Approached by a narrow footbridge over a deep ravine and most elegant in its simplicity, Texan firm Andersson-Wise’s boathouse appears to hover over the water in respite from the heat and concerns of life inland.
Photographs via Andersson-Wise.
Above: The boathouse floats above stilts and is clad in screened panels which open out from the top like wings.
Above Left: The boat is stored underneath between the stilts. Above Right: The walkway on the side of the boathouse, which leads to the entry.
Above: The all wood interior creates a dark and cool space for the humid summer heat while the screened panels keep the mosquitos away.
Above Left: A wood siding extends to become a shelf for the lantern in the window. Above Right: When open, the screened panels are held in place by wooden rods; easy to use as well as to maintain.
Above: At night, the lantern shines and beckons to those from the main house.
Above: The concrete panels are an enclosure for a grill.
Above: The joys of summer!
Above: The plan of the simple temple to "downtime."
Above: A section through the ravine, illustrating the narrow footbridge in the approach to the boathouse.
Above: A view down the narrow footbridge.
Andersson-Wise's design is a cross between a boathouse and a screened porch. See 5 Favorites: Summer Boathouse Roundup or 5 Favorites: Screened Sleeping Porches to see which you prefer.