residential architecture and interiors Archives

eme 157's domehome emerges from foliage-covered brick house in spain

EME 157 Studio’s DOMEHOME expands existing house in Aravaca

DOMEHOME project by EME 157 involves the expansion of a single-family home in Aravaca, Madrid, adding a new floor to accommodate an independent apartment for the family’s son. The renovation primarily focuses on transforming the previously unused terrace on the top floor into a habitable space. The design process begins with the consideration of the external appearance, emphasizing how to crown the existing brick house covered in vegetation. To maintain a balanced height without excessive increase, the design adopts a domed shape, allowing for increased internal height, spatial dignity, and reduced perception of height from the exterior.

The choice of cork for the new floor contributes to its distinctiveness, both in terms of materiality and insulation properties, contrasting with the solidity of the brick in the rest of the house. Zinc is employed for the vault, aligning with the overall design strategy.

all images by © Luis Asin

large circular skylight illuminates the house’s interior

The interior layout, driven by the desire to prioritize panoramic views, comprises 50 sqm on the ground floor housing the entrance, a bedroom, and a bathroom. The upper floor, spanning 130 sqm, is divided into private and public areas. The private zone features a bedroom and bathroom, while the public space integrates an open kitchen, dining room, and living room with expansive north-facing windows. A large circular skylight, originally illuminating the stairwell, floods the room with natural light.

Material simplicity characterizes the interior, with mortar floors, polished stainless steel for countertops and showers, and plywood and linoleum board for furniture. The design team at EME 157 experiments with the contrast between cold and warm materials. Exposed original concrete beams and pillars create a contrast with the new slender circular metal pillars painted in sky blue, seamlessly blending with the breathtaking views outside.

EME 157 transforms a home in Aravaca, Madrid, adding a new floor for an independent apartment

the architects crown the brick house with a distinctive domed shape covered in vegetation

the renovation converts the previously unused top-floor terrace into a functional living space

the domed design maintains a balanced height, offering increased internal space

Reference

Architecture

Taller Héctor Barroso envisions Mexican houses as “silent architecture”

By Zarkon Group,06/02/2024

Mexican studio Taller Héctor Barroso has used concrete, wood and brick to create a series of holiday homes that merge with the wooded landscape and “allow nature to act in the intimacy of the home”.

The small residential complex – called Los Helechos, or The Ferns – is located in Valle de Bravo, a scenic area that is a couple hours by car from Mexico City.

The 1,150-square-metre complex consists of four identical houses that sit side by side on a sloped property within Rancho Avándaro, a golf and recreational community.

The architecture studio designed the homes to integrate with the tree-studded landscape and to enable nature to flow indoors.

A courtyard with multiple plains — The four residences sit side by side on a slope

“Los Helechos is a group of houses designed to allow nature to act in the intimacy of the home, creating a silent architecture to accompany the beauty of their gardens,” said Taller Hector Barroso, a studio based in Mexico City.

“The four houses stealthily adapt to the steep slope of the terrain, respecting the existing topography and vegetation to minimize their impact on the site,” the studio added.

An armchair placed next to fireplace — Each house faces a central courtyard. Photo by Jaime Navarro

Each house has two levels and a basement. The homes are C-shaped in plan and feature rectilinear volumes arranged around a central courtyard filled with native plants.

“The houses look inward through a central courtyard that becomes a space of transition and contemplation – an area between public and private, allowing the entire house to maintain a direct relationship with nature,” the team said.

To construct the buildings, the team used concrete, pine and red brick plastered with soil-based stucco. Windows are framed with ipe wood, and a pergola is made of laminated pine.

Interior finishes include oak doors and stucco-covered walls, along with floors covered in cantera – a type of stone that came from a local quarry.

Room with exposed wooden beams — The studio used concrete, pine and red brick plastered with stucco for finishes. Photo by Jaime Navarro

The ground level encompasses two bedrooms and a mix of indoor and outdoors spaces for cooking, dining and lounging. The upper level contains two bedrooms, and the basement holds storage space and a garage.

Founded in 2011, Taller Hector Barroso has completed a range of projects around its home state of Mexico, such as a caramel-coloured apartment complex in Mexico City and a stark tennis venue in Los Cabos made of rammed earth.

The photography is by César Béjar unless otherwise stated

Project credits:

Architect: Héctor Barroso
Team: Alan Rojas, Alice Moreno, Paloma Sánchez, Salvador Saracho

Reference

Architecture

a brick tower rises from a concrete base inside matteo arnone’s caso attico

By Zarkon Group,30/01/2024

casa attico by atelier matteo arnone

In the north-east of Brazil, on the shore of São Miguel do Gostoso, Casa Attico emerges as one of the recent and characteristic projects of architecture and urban design studio Atelier Matteo Arnone. Made of brickwork and concrete, the residence takes on a unique, circular morphology and position, both influenced by the regional winds. Its concrete foundation reveals an exposed, almost labyrinthine layout with a brick core shaped like a tower that rises just enough from the dunes to capture scenic views of the Brazilian sea, becoming a reference point for the landscape.

all images © Federico Cairoli

a sweeping morphology inspired by the movement of wind

Observing both sections and plans of Casa Attico, one understands Matteo Arnone’s willingness (see more here) to capture the natural ventilation coming from the east and drive it across every corner of the living spaces. On the ground floor, the house is shaped like a wind machine. From the east, the wind penetrates the patios and circulates geometrically according to the shape of the walls, breaking strength and aerating the four symmetric bedrooms. At the tower level, the wind rises in between the two layers of brickwork composing its wall structures. The central kitchen, positioned to overlook four patios, serves as the focal point of the ground floor. Its symmetrical placement creates the core of the house, connecting with the living spaces.

Casa Attico by Atelier Matteo Arnone rises amid dunes in Brazil

Matteo Arnone and his team mainain visual continuity between the kitchen and first floor of Casa Attico through a circular opening that leads to the living room and office area. ‘As one ascends, a sense of privacy intensifies, offering a feeling of seclusion amidst the expansive natural surroundings. This sensation culminates on the top floor, where a compact space provides a panoramic view of the landscape, allowing for quiet contemplation,’ concludes the architect.

a circular morphology inspired by eastern winds

a brick tower rises from the core

cicular openings and layouts take over the design of Casa Attico

Reference

Architecture

MVRDV plans new green district in düsseldorf with colorful residential complex

By Zarkon Group,13/01/2024

MVRDV and LOLA plan new green district in Düsseldorf

MVRDV has collaborated with landscape architects LOLA to conceptualize the Grüne Mitte project in Düsseldorf, prioritizing open communication, negotiation, and compromise in urban development. Initiated by Cube Real Estate, the project aims to introduce nearly 500 new apartments, with 50 percent allocated to social or affordable housing. Additionally, the development incorporates community spaces to enhance the overall well-being of the neighborhood. The proposed site in Flingern-Süd currently hosts an underutilized shopping center, supermarket, and car park complex built just 11 years ago. The neighboring Kiefernstraße, known for squatting since the 1980s and vibrant street art, adds a unique aspect to the community dynamics. To ensure community involvement and support, the team engaged in a participation process, collaborating to align development objectives with the diverse needs of the community. This approach has facilitated the integration of social and affordable housing and the creation of community spaces that contribute positively to the neighborhood.

A Sustainable and Community-Informed Design

MVRDV (see more here) and LOLA (see more here) conducted a series of workshops to involve residents in the development process. Interviews were held, and brainstorming sessions took place to gather ideas. Through this collaborative process, key requirements emerged, including the importance of retaining the supermarket as a social meeting spot, improving connectivity to neighboring city districts, and incorporating public spaces for an inclusive social environment. Designers presented three outline proposals for residents to discuss, with the Grüne Mitte design, featuring blocks around a central green space, being the most popular choice. The central park-like space within the block reduces paved or built surfaces from 98 percent to 62 percent, serving as a community hub accessible through various passages. This green area features amenities like kiosks, sports facilities, and playgrounds, contributing to increased biodiversity and a pleasant microclimate.

the green open space contributes to increasing the biodiversity in the neighborhood

To economically support this large green space, a spatial compromise led to the inclusion of an office high-rise on the southwestern corner. Despite not aligning with the city’s high-rise plan, community support prompted special approval. The design team, considering community preferences, presented three proposals for the high-rise. The final 17-story design incorporates stacked blocks, with the lower one aligning with the Grüne Mitte, and the upper block twisted to complement the neighborhood’s features. Sustainability measures include green roofs, photovoltaic panels, cross-laminated timber floors, and an urban mining approach. The building’s façades celebrate diversity, with different treatments for each block, and some walls proposed for street art collaborations with Kiefernstraße residents.

the lower block of the 17-story building aligns with Grüne Mitte, while the upper block is twisted to complement the features of the neighborhood

different façade treatments for each block celebrate diversity and make the building more inviting

green roofs, photovoltaic panels, and cross-laminated timber floors contribute to the project’s sustainability

project info:

name: Grüne Mitte

architects: MVRDV | @mvrdv and LOLA | @lolalandscapearchitects

location: Düsseldorf, Germany

christina petridou I designboom

jan 13, 2024

Reference

white cladding envelops la musette gabled village hut in canadian hillside

Architecture

white cladding envelops la musette gabled village hut in canada

By Zarkon Group,19/12/2023

Nicolas Côté and Kevlar Habitation set up La Musette in Quebec

La Musette, a collaborative project between Nicolas Côté and Kevlar Habitation, rises as a response to the increasing interest in outdoor living in Canada, especially with the rise of telecommuting. Departing from conventional territorial expansion, their approach advocates for reinvesting in villages instead of encroaching on natural landscapes. The project, initially conceived by Nicolas and his partner Sophie, aligns with sustainability and environmental responsibility, integrating seamlessly with the aesthetic of Notre-Dame-de-Ham village. Situated in the Appalachian hills, the residential project respects the village’s identity while showcasing innovation and sustainability in land development, reflecting Quebec’s capabilities.

all images courtesy of Nicolas Côté

La Musette Bridges Tradition and Innovation in Compact Design

The house, while contemporary, maintains a connection to traditional architecture with simple forms, pitched roofs, and white cladding. La Musette prioritizes compact, intelligent design to optimize space without sacrificing functionality or comfort. Versatile in its use, the house accommodates telecommuting, family gatherings, and daily living. The design incorporates cost-effective materials like plywood, ensuring warmth and authenticity within an accessible budget framework. Nicolas Côté, along with Kevlar Habitation, proposes La Musette as an invitation to enhance villages, emphasizing harmony with nature. Beyond being a residence, La Musette embodies a philosophy promoting sustainable development and encouraging reflection on spatial inhabitation for the future of small communities.

La Musette responds to the growing interest in outdoor living and telecommuting in Canada

the project advocates for reinvesting in villages instead of encroaching on natural landscapes

La Musette seamlessly integrates with the aesthetic of Notre-Dame-de-Ham village in the Appalachian hills

Reference

residential architecture and interiors

eme 157’s domehome emerges from foliage-covered brick house in spain

EME 157 Studio’s DOMEHOME expands existing house in Aravaca

large circular skylight illuminates the house’s interior

Taller Héctor Barroso envisions Mexican houses as “silent architecture”

a brick tower rises from a concrete base inside matteo arnone’s caso attico

casa attico by atelier matteo arnone

a sweeping morphology inspired by the movement of wind

MVRDV plans new green district in düsseldorf with colorful residential complex

MVRDV and LOLA plan new green district in Düsseldorf

A Sustainable and Community-Informed Design

white cladding envelops la musette gabled village hut in canada

Nicolas Côté and Kevlar Habitation set up La Musette in Quebec

La Musette Bridges Tradition and Innovation in Compact Design

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