Alvaro Leite Siza Vieira
in Lugar Das Carvalihinhas, Portugal.
Images:
Guerra, F. (2006) aweeklydoseofarchitecture
I chose Casa Tolo because it is such an amazing house, as it stays with the topography of the very narrow and steep site. Alvaro Leite Siza Vieira designed the 180 sq. metre holiday home for his wife. Faced with a budget of just US$150,000 for the house and US$3000 for landscaping on the site of 33 degree slope (C+A Vieira, n.d.), Vieira was able to fit three bedrooms, bathroom, living and dining, and a small kitchen into the space. He also at the base of the site, made a small pool for leisure.
Broadhurst, J. (2009). Next houses.New York
C+A Vieira, A. (n.d.) Casa Tolo, C+A Issue 5 (PDF)
Other Options:
Canoe Reach Residence (2007)
Steendyk Architects
As an environmental filter:
As a container of human activities:
As a delightful experience:
Sanjivee, E. (2009) Home Sweet Home, Space (PDF)
Australian Institute of Architects (2009) Balaam Residence by Archefield
Guerra, F. (2006) aweeklydoseofarchitecture
I chose Casa Tolo because it is such an amazing house, as it stays with the topography of the very narrow and steep site. Alvaro Leite Siza Vieira designed the 180 sq. metre holiday home for his wife. Faced with a budget of just US$150,000 for the house and US$3000 for landscaping on the site of 33 degree slope (C+A Vieira, n.d.), Vieira was able to fit three bedrooms, bathroom, living and dining, and a small kitchen into the space. He also at the base of the site, made a small pool for leisure.
"The necessity of partially burying the house came from lack of economic means, Siza says. "In this way the house itself is a path. Its form organizes a fundamental outdoor route. The exterior stairs create a link between the patios mirror the interior stairs, which have the same function of linking the internal spaces, which are also set across several levels. It is neither horizontal nor vertical architecture. Its placement on the site results in a slanting architecture,"Siza says.
"The terrain's instability gave rise to a house with triple function: the home itself and its interior space; the organization of outdoor patios corresponding to the roofs of the various levels which permit outdoor use; and finally, creation of a pedestrian link between the paths of the upper and lower levels that border the site. The choice of exposed concrete creates an idea like that of massive stones appearing naturally...expressiveness is extracted from a continuous structure of reinforced concrete. Besides, the plasticity of insitu concrete and its relationship with nature pleases me." (C+A Vieira, n.d.)
As an environmental filter:
Casa Tolo has been designed to move with the contours of the steep and narrow site. Instead of cutting into the site, or building up above the ground, the architect, has designed a building that moves down with the site using stairs (hence the name House of Stairs). The building is made out of concrete, and has minimal windows, with light entering the building from sky lights. Instead of a typical roof, the roof is made out of concrete, and is also designed with stairs so that the owners can move down to the pool area without going inside the building.
Casa Tolo has been designed to move with the contours of the steep and narrow site. Instead of cutting into the site, or building up above the ground, the architect, has designed a building that moves down with the site using stairs (hence the name House of Stairs). The building is made out of concrete, and has minimal windows, with light entering the building from sky lights. Instead of a typical roof, the roof is made out of concrete, and is also designed with stairs so that the owners can move down to the pool area without going inside the building.
From the street, all that can be seen is a concrete space for a car. Beside the car space, there is a stair that leads down into the building. Alvaro has designed his building to take no view away from visitors to the area, while capturing views of the scenery inside his own building.
I do not believe that this is the most environmental building, as with the few windows, there would be hardly any natural ventilation within the building. Although there are many sky lights, the rooms are still quite dark, therefore needing the aid of arteficial light sources. The use of concrete, however economical it was for the architect, would not work in a climate like Queensland, therefore it will be something I will have to consider when designing my cabin.
As a container of human activities:
The house, although very narrow, has been designed with an open plan living of minimal doors, therefore breaking the link between public and private spaces. The public spaces of the kitchen and living areas are separated between the toilet and pantry, which is an unusual place for a toilet. The whole house is separated into spaces by stairs, creating movement throughout the house, to all the different areas of the house. As the house is constantly moving down because of the stairs, it is impossible to distinguish which "level" you are actually on as you continue to move down the site.
As a delightful experience:
The architect has managed to create a delightful experience inside and outside of the building due to the stairs. Whether inside or outside you are able to move down with the site, capturing the nature and views of the site. This movement is what makes the building such a delight, although it would be quite a good way of exercise, there is some form of peacefulness which is brought on by it.
Broadhurst, J. (2009). Next houses.
C+A Vieira, A. (n.d.) Casa Tolo, C+A Issue 5 (PDF)
Mathewson, Casey C. M (ed). (2007) Residential designs for the 21st century: an international collection. Buffalo , N.Y ; Richmond Hill
Other Options:
Canoe Reach Residence (2007)
Steendyk Architects
Images:
As an environmental filter:
Canoe Reach Residence has been designed to bring a connection between the indoor and outdoor living. The house is designed in a U shape to make the residents always look out onto the river, and enjoy the natural landscape. Environmentally, the building has been designed two stories while only being narrow to create cross-ventilation through all the rooms.
As a container of human activities:
The house has been designed for a family, therefore it was important to have an open plan of living, as well as linking the living areas to the outdoors. The private spaces (bedrooms and bathrooms) have been placed further away from the opens spaces, to create a more family orientated living.
As a delightful experience:
The architects have designed the house to make it look small from the road, and as the person walks through the house, the house grows, and many new spaces become seen. The movement throughout the building is what makes the building a delight. The flow between the indoors and outdoors, make it perfect for the South-East Queensland living.
Balaam Residence (2007)
Arkhefield Architects
As an environmental filter:
Balaam Residence was not designed to be sustainable, however, the air conditioning that the house uses, is solar timed, and with the use of solar control glass, louvres and blinds, the air conditioning is kept mostly in the house with minimal flow exiting it. There is also the use of rain water tanks, however, this is now common among all new houses.
As a container of human activities:
The house was designed to suit a family, therefore it was important to provide enough space for adults, children and guests as well as bringing privacy from neighbouring apartments and the river. The house has been designed on three levels to create different spaces inside and outside the building, including a private courtyard, away from neighbouring views.
As a delightful experience:
The river and city views are what makes this house delightful. Balaam Residence has been designed so that the main, guest and living rooms face south looking out onto the Brisbane River. That as well as the contemporary interior decorating and architecture make this house a delightful experience.
Sanjivee, E. (2009) Home Sweet Home, Space (PDF)
Australian Institute of Architects (2009) Balaam Residence by Archefield
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