HOUSE R
The client was clear from the very first meeting: they wanted an honest and comfortable family home. Something special in its simplicity. The focus had to be on the client's wishes and the quality of living.
In relation to simplicity, the forest's edge and the villas along the same forest edge led them to envision a barn-like structure, one in which a home could be nestled. The advantage of this approach was the starting point of "a large space," allowing for creative composition with light, materials, and volumes.
With a commitment to simplicity, the design choice leaned towards industrial construction methods, embracing an archetypal form that allowed materials, structure, and connections to be exposed.
The house's foundation was positioned 80cm above ground level, creating space for a basement beneath. These lower-level spaces, resembling garden rooms due to windows designed like loopholes, were linked to the upper floors via open staircases. This layout allowed the family to live connected throughout the house, with the flexibility to close off sleeping, working, playing, and the entrance areas using doors to ensure privacy.
Elevating the living spaces by almost 1 meter above ground level improved sightlines, providing more light and privacy. This strategic placement was also guided by the intention to avoid living in the shadows of the trees from the street and neighboring properties.
The interior design followed a similarly clear and straightforward approach: the large hall was constructed from a single volume, and the interior spaces were organized as distinct blocks within the room. An open steel staircase connected all the floors, mirroring the elevation changes at ground level on the exterior. Additionally, two voids in the living room and kitchen facilitated connectivity, visibility, and natural light.
Each floor was designed with a focus on lighting and views, tailored to its specific function. The basement maximized natural light through windows that slightly projected from the facade. The ground floor featured large windows with concealed frames, designed as openings in the facade material to offer scenic views of the forest edge and ample natural light for daily living.
On the sleeping floor, smaller windows were set deep within the facade to ensure privacy in the bedrooms, eliminating the need for additional window coverings.
This house was constructed to achieve nearly energy neutral status. It was designed to be gas-free and heated using a district-level heat-cold storage system. The high insulation values allowed for the complete elimination of underfloor heating on the sleeping floor, with energy needs met entirely by solar panels.
The project resulted in a simple yet striking volume that prioritized space, light, air, material use, and color quality to enhance the experience of family living.
