* Residential Architecture: D House by Lode Architecture

Residential Architecture: D House by Lode Architecture: “..on the banks of the brackish water of a french estuary lies a house that breathes in the warmth of the surrounding woods. startling and elegant dualities characterize estuarine environments, places at the mouth of a river where fresh water meets the saline swirls of ocean water. these unique sites are among the most productive areas on earth. parisian architects jérôme vinçon and arnaud lacoste of lode architecture have sought to create an architecture that reflects these complex conditions. the fecundity of the landscape is expressed in the architectonics of ‘d house’ which include a contrasting skin comprised of untreated live-edge wood and glazing that wraps around the first level. a sizable retaining wall allows for the creation of a hollow space that becomes the conceptual crux of the house. this hearth can be opened to the panorama of the undergrowth; its spaces filled with the rushing sounds of the river and the smell of damp earth. the windowed angles fade into river views and the stone-worked ground trails off into the water’s banks. the second level further creates a blended landscape with wells of light and slivers of landscape peeking through a small succession of living spaces. these wooden trellises make an abstracted composition of forest when the leaves reflect off the abundant glazing. the house flits between dialectical sets, drawing strength through it’s embrace of the confrontational natural elements that characterize the site.. ”  Very nice site; extensive glazing, natural light, views; interesting form, exterior and interior materiality, indoor / outdoor sensibility..

image: © daniel moulinet, courtesy of lode architects; article: Designboom

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* Residential Architecture: JPGN House by Macedo, Gomes & Sobreira

Residential Architecture: JPGN House by Macedo, Gomes & Sobreira: “..The owner of this house, at the South Lake residential district in Brasilia, Brazil, had grown up on that same street. The window of his bedroom was opened to the view of the Paranoá Lake towards northwest, with the monumental zone of Brasília right at the opposite bank.  He had witnessed the evolution of that landscape, and intended to keep living together with it. The house was almost fully elevated on piloti, on the edge of the height allowed by urban regulations, opening the view above the neighbors’ roofs..Since they were still a young couple without kids, the basic programme (living-room, office, bedrooms, kitchen, laundry) was distributed only on the upper level, shortening daily circulation – especially when kids are still small. Internal rooms were articulated in a way to allow the view of the landscape, now the main leitmotif of the design, complemented by a panoramic deck freely set over the roof..The ground level was distributed with small embankments in different levels, in a way to avoid an excessive ceiling height. The garage is on an intermediate level, along with a service area equipped with a freight elevator and an employee bedroom, in a way that it hides the vehicles when seen from the veranda above. A small two-bedroom flat was planned for future occupation of the pilotis, when kids would demand more independence – a plan executed in advance by the owner during the construction, so it would bring more autonomy to the leisure area and allowing the family to have guests..The structural system, ordered in relatively conventional spans of 5,4m and 6m commanded the design with a strict 60cm modulation to which all the elements and components are adjusted. Flat-beams and waffle slabs made possible a flat-ceiling formal solution, even with the large cantilevers that allow the house to lean towards the landscape..The living-room, the office, and the master-bedroom – this one with a small terrace – are directly open to the view, as is indirectly the kitchen – connected to the living-room by sliding panels. The integration between these rooms is also made by a set of continuous cabinets, a stone countertop and horizontal windows – opened to the front street-view..In order to protect the internal rooms from the inclemency of the tropical sun on the northwest façade – the one open to the view – it were used one-meter eaves and a thick sill clad with marble, ensuring protection during the hottest times of the day. The solution for the strip window was a set of adjustable perforated sun blinds, concealed in an external box completely independent from the glass, and separated from the ceiling slab enough to allow the entrance of the tenuous sunset light – without completely blocking the view of the sky. The 40cm-height strip along the ceiling slab surrounds the whole elevated volume, bringing to the interior spaces the several nuances of sunlight along the day, making more palpable the passage of time..The recording of time, in another duration, was also determinant on the selection of patinable cladding for the contention walls on the ground level – rough limestone – and for the upper façade – a kind of Brazilian travertine cut in 60cmX15cm plates..Following the same classic logic, so to say, a  integrates vegetation, internal and external areas on the ground level, while the upper level is floored with simple porcelain, set accordingly to the modulation of the house..”  Extensive glazing, interesting fenestration, natural light, garden views; interesting form, interior volumes and materiality..

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image: © Joana França; article: Gaete , Javier . “JPGN House / Macedo, Gomes & Sobreira” 30 Oct 2012. ArchDaily. <http://www.archdaily.com/287261&gt;