* Residential Architecture: House in Monasterios by Ramon Esteve

Residential Architecture: House in Monasterios by Ramon Esteve: “..The house is located in an elevated area, from which it dominates a hillside leading down to the sea. This view marks the direction the walls will take and, in an abstract form, define the project. The house is structured as a compaction of volumes of varying heights, and the form established by the main walls..The articulating space volume of this sequence is obtained from opening courts and patios in the central space of the house. A series of open courtyards are formed, covered in its perimeter like an atrium, in search of the access to the house, obtaining different perceptions of the house..The views from any point intersect and are never interrupted along the permeable sequence at the end of which, limited between glass membranes, is the lobby. Thus, it creates an approach path that exposes the more intimate side of the house so that, once inside, you discover the long views over the hillside to the sea..Among the great defining walls, the space is closed with large glass panels protected with wooden movable planes, graduating the closing level of each piece..The housing program is focused very clearly in the direction marked by the walls, and volumes depend on the spatial hierarchy of spaces. Two wooden emerging volumes, materialized by the chimneys, mark the counterpoint to the horizontality that defines the entire house..”  Extensive glazing, natural light, views; interesting fenestration, interior details and materiality..

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image: © Mayte Piera; article: ”House in Monasterios / Ramon Esteve” 09 May 2013. ArchDaily

* Residential Architecture: Bath House in Carinthia by Peter Jungmann

Residential Architecture: Bath House in Carinthia by Peter Jungmann: “..on the picturesque image of lake weissensee in southern austria, a cloister of pristine wooden homes and apartments as part of the alte saege recreational resort built in 2007, winning several awards in the proceeding years. just recently, architect peter jungmann crowned the complex with the ‘bath house’ located on the water’s edge as a satellite structure to the rest of the residences. the timber construction is seemingly erected from the weathered wooden dock extending activities over the water’s surface. immaculate connections add to the structure’s clean lines emphasized by subtle metal purlins framing the inset sliding glass doors and lakeside glazed facade..”  Extensive glazing; interesting interior volumes and details..

image: courtesy of alte saege; article: Designboom

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* Residential Architecture: Stone House in Anavissos by Whitebox Architects

Residential Architecture: Stone House in Anavissos by Whitebox Architects: “..The concept was the creation of a residence for a family of four – the parents with two children – and the possibility of having a guest room with relative autonomy -separate bathroom. The basic demands were: the view of the sea from all four bedrooms, an office space on the ground floor for the professional needs of the couple but mostly of the mother who wanted to work and supervise the ground floor where the children would play. Another request for the design was the economy in energy consumption of the house and the possibility of enjoying the outdoor spaces throughout the year, for dining, swimming, games..The plot is located in Lakka, looking over the gulf of Anavissos. Undergrowth, rocky terrain with a gentle slope to the bay located southeast of the plot and strong northerly and easterly winds -local thermal effects, are the main features of the inhospitable natural environment..Morphology: The building is L-shaped thus protects the space of the main courtyard from the strong local winds while connecting the indoors spaces to the external functions of the residence. The ground floor is divided into two levels following the smooth slope to the sea. On the northwest side, while the indoor facilities are disrupted, the structural elements of the building are released from the main volume and continue their way until they form a protected from the north wind -with stone walls-, and the sun- with fixed wooden blinds – space..This area is the “secret” access of the family directly to the kitchen, the summer dining and rest area with shade and coolness. The secret garden of the children with a sculpture hidden behind the stone columns that barely leave the sunrays penetrate and reveal their secret. Pergolas on the south side of the house protect the inner space from the direct sunlight through the corner windows that are facing the sea. Inside the building there is an atrium with a mobile roof that slopes to the North to allow the northern light to enter and contributes to the hot air relief during the summer. It also contributes to the visual and audio communication of the residents on both floors..The semi-open space between the two children’s bedrooms that is in contact with the atrium gives children the opportunity to see inside the house from above while they are on their verandah. The northern side of the building creates a front to the north as there are only a few small openings, except one above the main entrance that even allows the view through the house to the buildings that lie behind. The wooden “sachnisi”is a historical reference to the greek refugees who migrated to the area from Asia Minor in 1922 and worked in the local salt marshes..Construction: The exterior walls of the building are made of 70cm bearing stone masonry, visible on the ground floor and plastered with colored plaster on the 1rst floor. The concrete used for slabs and columns remained visible inside and out. Great attention was given to the connection of the rough materials like stone and concrete with the other materials, wood, metal, glass, painted plaster..”  Interesting interior volumes and details; indoor / outdoor sensibility..

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image: © George Fakaros; article: ”Stone House in Anavissos / Whitebox Architects” 30 Apr 2013. ArchDaily

* Residential Architecture: Caxinas House by AUZprojekt

Residential Architecture: Caxinas House by AUZprojekt: “..portuguese practice AUZprojekt has just shared with us images of their newest renovation in the small fishing town of vila do conde, Portugal, in a very dense urban context. the narrow rectangular plot contains an internal courtyard towards the back end and dictates the type and use of vertical circulation so as not to intrude excessively in the limited width available. a wing along the back side of the main volume extends the living areas that open to the private patio and creates another terrace on its rooftop..”  Interesting interior volumes and details..

image: courtesy of AUZprojekt; article: Designboom

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