Enclosed Courtyard
The two-story “Π” shaped house is intentionally positioned on the plot, creating a central outdoor space with an eastern orientation and ensuring that all interior spaces have direct access to the garden, the green area and swimming pool. The building’s placement enhances the natural ventilation and lighting and emphasizes its relationship with the central courtyard.
Designing in relation to the street
The ground floor volume, situated on the southern side of the plot, provides privacy from the public street. The parallel volume of the first floor, which forms the Π-shape, is positioned towards the rear, giving the illusion, when viewed from the front, of a single-story residence. The horizontal continuous masonry, made of exposed board-formed concrete, is placed along the entire main façade. This creates the sense of an expansive volume facing the street and defines the residence’s main entrance. The parking area is cladded in wood, becoming integrated with the entrance. A passage of vertically planted flowers and metal structures for climbing plants, creates a distinct pathway of greenery towards the main entrance.
Functional layout and design
The entrance leads directly to the living and dining areas. The continuity of the exterior cladding material into the interior spaces resembles a wooden box and imparts a sense of enclosure, particularly in the areas housing the services and office. A set of sliding wooden doors that create a feeling of playfulness, alternately integrate or isolate the office space with the dining area. Using consistent materials and structures, the living room is extended further out to the exterior space.
Structure morphology
The continuous concrete and black marble furniture and ceramic flooring, create a smooth transition between inside and outside, unifying both the function as well as the feel of the space. The impressive 9m canopy of the master bedroom located on the first floor, shelters the outdoor garden lounge, further enhancing the continuity of this “functional” axis that leads to the protected terrace. The outdoor barbecue seamlessly expands the kitchen area to the sheltered outdoor living space, extending its functionality and creating an additional outdoor dining area around the central courtyard and pool.
The staircase’s first couple of steps are built-in, serving as a continuation for the built-in living room sofa and establishing a sense of cohesion within the space. The rest of the steps are made of a metal frame and oak wood, while glass panels act as a protective railing, contributing to the structure’s lightweight appearance.
The first floor accommodates three bedrooms, with two sharing a bathroom, while the master bedroom has views of the pool and garden, complete with en suite facilities and a separate wardrobe.