Sustainable retreat

The 950m² house is designed to be lived in as a welcome break away from the bustling city life and, on frequent occasions, be able to host parties of up to 30 guests.

 

Site Integration

The site is situated amongst a densely built area, with only one adjacent remaining traditional two-storey wooden home and its lush garden lining the length of the property. The house is placed along the three built up sides of the site, creating a large garden. The building is raised half level, to secure privacy, its two floors expressed as separate units: the ground floor appears as an opaque black box, while the upstairs volume is white. Openings are oriented towards the courtyard, with the pool in the foreground, and greenery visually merging with the backdrop of the neighboring garden.

 

Functional Organization

The entrance from the street is recessed, through a dark box with angular aluminum cladding, with no hint of what lies beyond but a few sprouting branches. To the right, an opening directs towards the light, through a long corridor leading to the house, lined by the pool on one side and a reflective marble wall on the other. The solid wall on the right retreats to reveal a green pocket, accentuating the greenery of the house and providing a passage for prevailing winds. Behind a tree, perforated mirror- finished aluminium panels arranged in arbitrary angles, multiply the garden impressions, and allow glimpses from the interior. The entrance opens directly upon the dining area, with a custom-made table crafted from 200 years old timber. To the left, the double-height living area features a large, abstract geometric mural.

 

Furniture & Custom Structures

Above the cubist sofa, the chandelier echoes the mural with round bulbs and tubular fittings. The kitchen surface, island, and back wall are all lined with a smart black and white marble arranged in a diamond pattern. Cantilevered stairs, lit from a clerestory window, lead to the private living quarters, including the master suite and one guestroom. The space of the master suite flows naturally from the bedroom and dressing room to the green marble bathroom. The shower wall is finished in a white marble with black veins, arranged to form a pattern of three mountains. The sculptural bath is the centerpiece, naturally lit with a glass block wall behind and outdoor garden.

 

Sustainable Practices

The house is designed to respond to the turbulent tropical climate. In addition to cantilevered fins and eaves, to reduce direct sunlight and heavy rain, the glazing layer is recessed to create a continuous balcony. The external shutter system provides the outermost skin, allowing natural cooling. Each shutter acts as a heat exchanger, funnelling air through an individual aluminium fin which further reduces heat intake.