Felipe Assadi + Christophe Rouselle - Casa Serrano

Felipe Assadi + Christophe Rouselle

Casa Serrano

Another Chilean house this week thanks to Plataforma Arquitectura.
Felipe Assadi and Christophe Rouselle have created a wonderful house that exploits the views towards Santiago city as David Basulto describes.

Article By: David Basulto [tricky]
Architects: Felipe Assadi + Christophe Rouselle
Landscaping: Piera Sartori
Plot: 1000 m²
Area consturcted: 370 m²
Completed: 2006-03-21
Location: Mirador de Los Dominicos, Santiago de Chile
Constructor: Jorge Carrasco
Surveyor: Enzo Valladares


The Casa Serrano plot is located on one of the hills that borders the west zone of Santiago, a location with an almost aerial view of the city. In spite of these panoramic view, the appearance of neighboring constructions pushed the architect towards the formation of an apparently opaque pavilion when viewed from the sides, that lies above the landscape to generate a more dramatic visual relationship with the city.

The ground floor, dug into the hillside, establishes the first steps of the terraced plot and sits under the first floor. Through this, the ground level of the house is left semi buried, protected from the neighbors by means of the surrounding landscape. On this level, one finds the common areas enclosed within a transparent space, consisting basically of steel columns and large glass windows.

The second floor, level with the top of the plot, extends horizontally as you move down the slope, left to appear as though it is floating above the hillside. Made up of a volume of reinforced concrete covered completely in a second layer of wooden skin, perforated to allow in ventilation and the views. This surrounding skin, simultaneously function as blinds providing privacy to the house and regulating the light that enters the house. This skin, on the Northern facade, is a system of blinds in tracks that move horizontally along the outside of the house. On this level are located the bedrooms and intimate living rooms, in addition to an inner patio that serves the bedrooms that do not partake in the views towards the city.

The third level works as a wooden deck, covering the bedrooms, in which a more direct relationship with the context of the plot is established. This viewpoint allows 360 degree views of the city.

A vertical volume of concrete ties these horizontal layers together. Located in the highest sector of the land, this tower simultaneously allows vertical circulation and orders the relationship between the different areas. In each level of this volume a small living room lets you out to the rest of the floor. On the third floor the living room is a study, permitting access to the deck and views beyond. The materials used are reinforced concrete, steel, glass and Almendrillo timber.

Photos

Plans

Elevations

via: plataformaarquitectura.cl

Mell Lawrence Architects - Watersmark House

Mell Lawrence Architects

Watersmark House

After hunting through John's Future House Now the other day I came across Mell Lawrence Architects. John's feature on the Wild Haire Ranch House got me curious and their Watersmark House, a combination of old and new impressed me. The brickwork is impeccable and the combination of traditional and modern design make this house special.

Combining steel, stone and wood this house, despite being a new build, has the solidity and permanentness of an established mansion house. Breaking up the house into blocks and dividing it over levels descending the slope confirms that it's something the old master builders would not have attempted. This division allows for a series of landscaped courtyards to feature off each level, tamed in comparison to the natural forest in the valley beyond.

Layout wise, this house disperses bedrooms. Master on the upper floor then guests one level below the living room, kitchen and dining. A third bedroom, above the garage a perfect retreat for a teenage child.

Facing the sun, the upstairs master floor is wonderful with views above the canopy of trees out across the valley below. To the east a walk in wardrobe with bathroom in front (surrounded by glass), to the west, the bedroom and open deck for taking in the views down the valley. Connecting these two a conservatory (covered deck) and hall. At the Northern shaded back of this floor, the stairwell with office on the landing half way down. The stairwell's special too with stair being extended to form shelves.

Heading down to the main living area the kitchen with central island has a large window for checking on the BBQ across the sheltered courtyard formed behind the garage and house.
Dining and living rooms surround, then across a glass bridge to the secluded library, with panoramic views across the valley and down to the pool below.

I think its the combination of layout, attention to detail and high stud that has me with this house.

The beacon light on the garage is great too (parting image). A lantern guiding you home up the driveway.

A note from Mell Lawrence Architects on the project
This house embraces its naturally terraced site, capturing sweeping views to the distance and intimate spaces along the site. From the main entry, the house descends down the slope, with each room inside corresponding to a "room" outside. The main living area responds to a stone patio sited on a natural terrace. From the living area, a glass bridge leads to the library that overlooks a spa pool in the grotto underneath, where guest quarters open onto another small natural terrace. Upstairs, the private suite opens onto a screened porch, then onto a balcony overlooking the library and pool. This series of small boxes above the trees contrast the larger spaces anchoring the house below. Only elemental materials – wood, stone and metal – were used throughout the house, chosen by the architect to express the qualities of an older building; substantial, grounded, and well proportioned, with textural interest flowing from exterior to interior.

via: Mell Lawrence Architects & thanks to: CYMK Group