Friday, November 30, 2007

A-cero - Santander House

A-cero

Santander House


A-cero, have recently received great press and interest in their Dubai Tower project, but they also produce fantastic, single family, residential designs. In fact it was difficult to choose a project to lead with! Here is their Santander house.
The house is located on a skewed rectangular plot, with a gradient of around 1 in 3 and covering 2,204m2. The plot is bordered on the south by the access road, to the north and east by other properties and the west by a pedestrian pathway.



The focus of the design was to maximise views of the river Miera to the South. The slope of the ground, usually problematic in construction, became an asset allowing them to set the house into the hillside. With a natural barrier at the rear, the front of the house opens up to the views and Southern sun. The project evolves, embracing the surroundings via a set of 3 very simple rectangular volumes, a large longitudinal central core from which two others protrude, angled slightly to the west and setting sun, one at ground level and the second, housing the master bedroom upstairs.

At the other end of this volume, downstairs (1m lower) is the garage, laundry, pantry and storage. Between these two is the intersection with the forward facing wing, which contains 2 bathrooms, kitchen, office and games room that opens out onto the patio. Upstairs are 2 kids bedrooms and a bathroom. The second volume extending out into the bay is the master bedroom with its en-suite and walk in wardrobe. The en-suite has its own low level landscape window, allowing views out across the bay and the master bedroom features a huge inclined picture window for enjoying the views whilst dry. The layout allows for all the main living areas to receive direct sunlight while separating the living areas from the sleeping quarters upstairs.









The interior was laid out open plan, in a very functional manner, divided at the intersections of the volumes. The main horizontal volume contains to the east: the staircase connecting the two floors, the living room, dining room and a small library with home cinema. These rooms, although open plan, are partitioned by white hanging walls to waist height, yet with their narrow profile the room appears open plan from outdoors.

















Outside, landscaping is minimal yet stylish, with under bench lighting and lineal concrete forms framing the various areas. As the landscape rolls across the plot it creates natural courtyards on the ground level and a convenient second floor exit from the kids wing balcony.



















The building has been covered with a skin of Naturvex (fibreboard cement panelling) in anthracite gray and raw concrete. An interesting choice that really accentuates the crisp lines of the structure, with the large spec panels and dimensions giving it a feeling of established solidity. In contrast, the oblique cut to the front of the master bedroom, places the property ahead in today's modern residential design.





More fantastic designs and 360 degree graphics of their houses can be found at http://www.a-cero.com/.

Location: Santander, Cantabria (Spain)
Built surface: 483,52 m2
Date built: Mar 2006

via: A-cero Estudio de arquitectura y urbanismo Many thanks to Ignacio and Carmen

Monday, November 26, 2007

Wolveridge Architects - Sorrento House

Wolveridge Architects

Sorrento House


Wolveridge Architects bring us a unique modern bach for a retired couple, that proves modern design can accommodate all a client's needs without compromising on style.

The Sorrento House was designed for a retired couple as a holiday house and a place they and their extended family could retreat from urban life. Located in a beach side suburb near Melbourne, the client's requirements were fairly straight forward. Four bedrooms, open living areas, a separate place for the grandchildren to play and to be private.

After removing the existing house the basin like nature of seaside plot was revealed. Setting out, the idea of security and privacy was achieved through two monolithic structures at the rear of the house. The solid black wooden garage and rusting steel box, materials chosen for longevity in these conditions, face the street corner. Windowless on 3 sides, these boxes act as guards to the main door, the entrance to the contrasting open plan rear of the house.

As requested, the grandchildren have been given their own play area, the tall steel box at the entrance of the residence.
At the opposite end of the house, the master wing, separate for the main living area is a quiet retreat, with the lap pool along it's length. The master bathtub, focal point at the end of the main corridor, can be closed off on weekends when the couple aren't alone.





Between the two wings lies the third and fourth bedrooms, kitchen and main living area. The open plan living area, is a breeze space that opens onto a large deck with lap pool to left and protecting fireplace and BBQ wall to the right. This acts as a buffer/ interim space in the all important indoor - outdoor flow.

A lesson from this house, is how the architects have used glass sparingly. Heading from south-west to north-east and the rear of the section, the house opens up to the sun. The living area, used all day, has large northerly windows. The bedrooms and bathrooms used at night, have narrow glazed apertures, yet seem light and airy as white enamel paint reflects the light throughout.

This finishes off a house of contrasts: from dark wooden exterior panels to the light white interior, steel and wood entrance guards, fire and water separated by the deck, and the night and day segments of this fantastic house.










Architect: Wolveridge Architects Pty Ltd
Project Name: Sorrento House
Location: Sorrento 3943
Gross floor area: 330m2
Site area: 850m2

via: Wolveridge Architects Pty Ltd


Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Arkhefield - Balaam House

Arkhefield

Balaam House

Shaun Lockyer (one of 3 Directors) heading the team at Arkhefield created a unique solution in a very urban, riverside plot. Overlooked to the east, the house looks for winter warmth from the north and west whilst trying to take in southern river views.
A private garden to the west provides light, a play area for children and a fire pit for relaxing around in the evening.



The house combines zinc aluminium, concrete, rich timbers and raw battening as the house moves from secure bedrooms on the easterly spine towards the more open living rooms of the setting sun. Centre piece of the property is the cantilevered pool, providing an eave for the main entrance with its showpiece, glass end.



It’s not all show either. Complementing its modern style and perhaps Gehry-esque
(without comparison or wanting to offend) zinc curves, the house packs in green features as well.
Rain water harvesting, solar hot water, passive “heat stack” cross ventilation (see the stairwell ventilation and light shaft on the easterly wall), solar control glass, operable louvers, shutters and blinds on solar clocks to limit use of air-conditioning, thermal mass and low maintenance, recycled, materials were all a consideration.

From its solid east wall spine, the house peels back layers to the south west. In response and consultation with its neighbor, an open “garden zone” provides green to the otherwise built up environs. It may seem large, but within the broader higher density context of its surroundings it fits well and as the layers peel back the living areas and outdoor dining provide protection from the elements, views and cross ventilation.

The layout also provides: a secure 4 bedroom stack for the children above the garage at the northern end, leaving the southern end for entertaining, living and on the top floor a master wing. The first floor level accommodates the bulk of living needs including the outdoor living and pool.



When viewed from the riverside path the house's size befits the surrounding multi residential buildings. Elevated living areas take in the views and the lightening of construction materials can be seen from east to west.











The huge picture window and feature flueless fire are fantastic.























“Our client wanted a unique piece of architecture that could enhance family life and not be precious. Feedback from the client is that the house has achieved this aspiration while providing privacy and sanctuary from the otherwise urban and public environment.”

Definitely!





Images and information via: Arkhefield. Greatly appreciated!