Portelet House - BAS MooArc

Guernsey Beach Villa - The Portlet House is one of many fantastic works on Guernsey by BAS MooArc - Minimalist style creating a welcoming beach retreat...more



Well after a huge hiatus, I though I would post this gem to rekindle the spirits as Christmas approaches. After a quick catch up on Facebook Jamie Falla kindly provided me with some floor plans to their Portelet House, overlooking Portelet Harbour - Guernsey.

Conceived as three timber blocks nestled into the hillside allowing views of the surrounding landscape from all principle rooms. The palette of materials blends with the beach setting and mediates between water, earth and sky.

With sea views out to the North - the house faces a battle between light and distractions. Rightly so, large full height glazing faces out to sea from both the living and dining room. These comprising two of three connected timber blocks. Angled skylights and clerestory windows ensure that the hallways and bedrooms are also doused in daylight.

The Dining/Kitchen area and Lounge are separated by a glazed ended hallway that runs to the property's entrance and linking the entertainment area to the more enclosed bedrooms to the rear. The glazed end providing a clear shot out to the bay from the entrance.

Contrasting the timber cabins above, a further entertainment area and library are held in the basement below - a welcome retreat for when the wonderful views become too much.



















Plans

Modern Architecture - Encampment

I've had a bit a thing for encampment projects recently. The notion of semi-permanent structures and rather than a solid mass, compartmentalising activities and rooms. The technique fitting well with iterative approaches and generation building - taking off or adding on a unit as needed...

Here's a few I love from around the net. Anyone have further recommendations? AMA House by Katsutoshi Sasaki + Associates @dezeen


jun igarashi architects: house o @designboom


House in Buzen / Suppose Design Office @archdaily


Tennent + Brown Architects - Turn Point Lodge @nickwallen


Fearon Hay Architects - Sandhills Road House @nickwallen

Herbst Architects - Timms Bach @nickwallen

Lund Hagem - Cabin Karevold

Lund Hagem - again with another cabin I love, this time in Stavern and with a far more challenging plot. Backed into the rock face, the Z shaped plan again provides sheltered outdoor space, and privacy for guests and owners.

Location: Stavern, Norway
Size: 80 m2
Completed: 2008
Three natural stone platforms define the site at heights of 21, 24.5 and 27 meters above sea level. The cabin sits on the crevice which separates the different levels, and in this way the utilization of these natural terraces is maximized.
An outdoor living space defined by the two bedroom bodies and the wall of the highest platform, welcomes you to the site. The cabin continues zigzagging up to the intermediate level, where the living room enjoys panoramic views of the surrounding forest to the east and the sea to the south and the west.

Taking the notion of summer encampment further, Cabin Karevold is a series of rooms connected by a large timber deck. Braving the elements is mandatory, with on halls or circulatory indoor areas, the bedrooms, and in some cases beds, open right onto the deck. With three separate zones, the dining and daily living areas are set high on the surrounding rocks. Descending to the guest bedrooms and bathing area, a broad deck expands for play and creates an outdoor platform, bridging one of many crevices on the plot.

Continue on and the Master bedroom, is connected to what I must presume is the evening wine snuggle. Perfect spot to relax after a day at the beach.

Pics




Plans

Hyde Architects - Pennard House

A rather special Welsh family home by Hyde + Hyde Architects - sheltering a central courtyard and pool, the guest wing's clerestory windows opening up to the sun and providing a silhouette that cracked the planning codes.

We were approached through recommendation to design a bespoke one-off signature home; derived from a clear understanding of the site and the context of Gower.
Pennard house responds to the individual needs of our clients, while at the same time sensitive in scale to the surrounding buildings. We have attempted to create a home that exudes privacy and celebrates open plan living; while integrating subtle references inspired by the local vernacular.
A Welsh slate wall forms the boundary between the external world and the internal world of home. This forms an important part of the entry sequence, once through the entry door the house opens up completely to the landscape. With contemporary forms and large expanses of glass to blur the boundary between public and private.
The timber clad master bedroom wing cantilevers over the inner court forming a natural rain canopy for entertaining in the persistent Welsh summer rain.

Its refreshing to see a new build make such bold statements in the United Kingdom. Hyde + Hyde making the most of this plot and providing the client with a functional, yet also inspiring home and entertaining space.
The polished floors and minimalist dining area, leading to a covered patio before the pool, rival Californian McMansions in finish an opulence. Yet the vernacular materials used in the build, Welsh slate, and timber cladding of the master suite, align the house with its location and neighbours.

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Plans

Lund Hagem - Cabin Ameln

Lund Hagem, based out of Norway have a fantastic site, and collection of baches. Cabin Ameln, a providing sheltered BBQ retreat, and views out across the fjord. Contour hugging hunkered in design, connects with the site while minimalist layout and crisp finishes set it apart from your ordinary weekend retreat.

Location: Østerøya, Sandefjord, Norway
Size: 90 m2
Completed: 2009
The building sits in sloping terrain in close proximity to the sea. It has been designed to create favourable, screened outdoor areas. Previous buildings (4 in total) have been demolished and replaced with one new building that collects all functions under one roof.
The L-shaped layout uses steps to follow the terrain so that the building can utilise existing vegetation and trees to avoid visibility from the sea. This layout creates one upper and one lower outdoor area/patio. The upper patio has been duly
screened from the seafront, but offers views through the building due to glass walls.

I think I've found my Northern Hemisphere Bach Architects!

With three guest bedrooms providing extra sleeping for six, the singular roof canopy links the two wings for owners and guests. The floor plan encapsulating the rear entertaining area, sheltering it from the fjord and winds lets the house make the most of its setting and views.

The contrasting concrete form rear patio, and warm untreated wood is refreshing. And with time as the wood ages gracefully, the exterior of the house will blend further into it's wooded surroundings. Internally, the trimming maintaining it's warm glow.

Pics





Plans