pezo von ellrichshausen embeds concrete 'loba house' into the terrain of coastal chile

Di Frenna arquitectos designed Espacio Kaab, a residential project situated adjacent to the historic Nogueras hacienda in Colima, Mexico. This hacienda, initially a sugar production site in the early 1700s, later became associated with the family of internationally acclaimed artist Alejandro Rangel Hidalgo in the 1940s and continues to be a significant landmark within the community. The architectural design of Espacio Kaab thoughtfully addresses its historical context, providing views towards the hacienda as a nod to its location and integrating design elements influenced by the property's rich past. Faced with the challenge of building in an area steeped in history, cultural significance, and architectural heritage, Di Frenna arquitectos embraced the site's unique characteristics. The design of Espacio Kaab consciously interacts with the hacienda, framing specific vistas towards the historical grounds. The project also incorporates more tangible references to the hacienda's influence, utilizing ancient construction techniques and materials originally employed in the complex. This approach fostered community involvement in Comala, leveraging ancestral knowledge in crafts developed by Rangel himself, such as ironwork and woven reed ceilings, which infuse the residence with a distinct identity. Upon arrival, visitors are greeted by the captivating natural environment, characterized by arid vegetation, cacti, stones, and earthy tones, creating a sense of immersion and contrast with the region's typically vibrant flora. The architectural layout was developed organically with the landscape, offering a spatial solution that responded to the terrain's specific requirements and nuances. The guiding principles throughout the design process were to respect the topography, adapt to the setting, and achieve harmony with the environment, resulting in a home that feels seamlessly integrated into its natural surroundings. The project blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor spaces through strategically placed patios, terraces, contained gardens, and unique views of the river and canyon. The core design concept aimed to create an environment where the boundaries between interior and exterior dissolve, allowing the natural colors and textures of the surroundings to blend with the building's palette. This is exemplified by the seamless transition from indoor to outdoor, enabling occupants to walk barefoot across natural stone floors without a perceptible change in environment. To achieve this, the architects employed a primary palette of raw, natural tones. Materials were often sourced locally from Comala, notably the rammed earth used for walls. Other distinctive finishes, such as the eggshell-colored chukum stucco, reflect ancient Mexican construction techniques. The incorporation of local palm wood, river stone, woven carrizo ceilings, and artisanal blacksmithing further reinforces the connection to the land and the local craftsmanship championed by Rangel. While honoring these traditional elements, the design also introduces modern techniques and innovative structural solutions, bridging historical crafts with contemporary architectural practices. Espacio Kaab is a collaborative effort, with Matia Di Frenna Müller and Mariana de la Mora Padilla leading the project team. The residence serves as a testament to integrating historical context, local craftsmanship, and environmental sensitivity within a modern dwelling. It demonstrates how traditional materials and building methods, combined with innovative design, can create a home that is both deeply rooted in its place and forward-thinking in its approach to sustainable and harmonious living. #MexicanArchitecture #RammedEarth #Chukum #LocalMaterials #HaciendaDesign #SustainableArchitecture #DiFrennaArquitectos #ColimaMexico #ResidentialArchitecture

The BA Holz House, designed by AUM and Pierre Minassian, is a distinctive residence situated on the French banks of Lake Geneva. This architectural project occupies a wooded plot characterized by birch and Scots pine trees, with the terrain gently sloping towards the lake. The design showcases an origami-inspired wooden construction that skillfully balances perceptions of mass and lightness. This structure appears to unfold, strategically framing views of the lake. The entire composition evokes a complex Kapla game, seemingly suspended in mid-air atop a transparent base that integrates harmoniously with its natural surroundings. The core of the wooden construction is supported by three concrete walls, contributing to its floating aesthetic. The living area is formed by a system of wooden panels featuring innovative cross-sections and strategic overhangs, giving it a honeycomb or folded appearance. This design not only adds visual interest but also serves functional purposes, providing protection for the interior from excessive sunlight and sheltering the terraces from the elements. The finely crafted beams are integrated with large windows that offer expansive views of Lake Geneva. AUM's design team meticulously incorporated thin roof overhangs, ensuring the structure's durability by providing effective rain protection. The west facade of the BA Holz House is designed to offer both privacy and sun protection. This is achieved through a claustra of interlocking wooden slats on the first floor and a metal mesh curtain on the ground floor. These elements simplify the overall volume of the house and enhance its graphic quality, strategically covering the bedrooms and bathrooms to create a unified and cohesive facade. The integration of these features results in a visually engaging and highly functional architectural solution. The combination of the transparent base, the innovative wooden construction, and the privacy solutions ensures that the house both stands out and blends into its picturesque lakeside environment. This project exemplifies a thoughtful approach to contemporary residential architecture, where aesthetic appeal and environmental considerations converge to create a unique living experience. The overall design prioritizes both visual impact and practical functionality, making the BA Holz House a notable example of modern residential architecture. #BAHolzHouse #AUM #PierreMinassian #LakeGeneva #WoodenArchitecture #ModernResidentialDesign #SustainableArchitecture #ContemporaryDesign #FrenchArchitecture

Meandre, a Russian architecture firm, has developed a novel single-family house called 'Shelldom' located in the northern countryside of Spain. This design redefines traditional house layouts by inverting the typical space-planning approach. Instead of rooms branching off a central common area, the 'Shelldom' features a common corridor that encircles all rooms, which are conceptualized as separate, shell-shaped dwelling cells. This innovative layout ensures enhanced privacy for the bedrooms, as their windows open exclusively into an internal garden space. The transparent design of other rooms, such as the living and dining areas, incorporates glazing on all sides to maximize natural light. The orientation of the suites is specifically engineered to receive morning sunlight, while the living and dining areas are designed to capture evening sun. A key aspect of this layout is that while the common corridor offers direct access to a central courtyard, individual rooms do not, further contributing to the privacy of the internal spaces. The architectural design of 'Shelldom' arises from a blend of functional requirements and bioclimatic considerations, resulting in a distinct and memorable aesthetic. The exterior facade is characterized by a geometry of simple lines and arches, visually articulating the internal functions of the house. Each room is topped with a dome roof, which serves multiple purposes: it expands the internal volume, allows for increased penetration of natural light, and contributes to the unique silhouette of the structure. This project was submitted through Designboom's 'DIY submissions' feature, highlighting its innovative nature in residential architecture. The design philosophy behind 'Shelldom' prioritizes privacy, natural light, and a unique aesthetic derived from its functional and environmental integration. The house's distinctive form and innovative space-planning layout offer a fresh perspective on contemporary living in a countryside setting. #MeandreArchitecture #ShellShapedHouse #SpainArchitecture #InnovativeLayout #ResidentialDesign #BioclimaticArchitecture #NaturalLight #DomeRoof

DHaus's 'La Terre' project is a four-bedroom family home situated in the Surrey countryside, Southern England, that exemplifies a commitment to sustainable architecture and ecological integration. The design utilizes modern, eco-friendly construction techniques, prominently featuring stabilized rammed earth, an ancient method updated with contemporary technology to enhance strength, weather resistance, and environmental performance. This material choice offers an eco-friendly alternative to conventional building materials like cut stone, concrete, and brick, achieving optimal environmental performance. The home is conceptualized to appear sculpted from its natural surroundings, with its earth walls subtly blending into the landscape. A distinctive feature is its elevated ground floor, which sits 0.5 meters above the surrounding grass. This elevation creates a visual illusion of weightlessness and levitation, echoing the architectural styles of historic country homes from the 1940s. The London-based practice, DHaus, meticulously designed accessible steps that flow in and out of the living areas, clearly articulating the functional spaces of the home. The structural integrity of 'La Terre' is supported by cast concrete plinths that serve as the foundation for the stabilized earth walls, effectively preventing erosion and ensuring long-term stability. Beyond its structural and aesthetic benefits, the project incorporates passive house principles to minimize energy consumption. This approach underscores a broader commitment to sustainability, aiming for a low environmental footprint throughout the building's lifecycle. Interior design plays a crucial role in connecting residents with the natural environment. Two expansive atriums are integrated into the circulation spaces, each housing Japanese gardens. These interior gardens are designed to immerse inhabitants in the engulfing landscape as they navigate through the house, fostering a continuous visual and experiential link between indoor and outdoor realms. Large expanses of glazing further enhance this connection, particularly in the living spaces, allowing abundant natural light and panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Further emphasizing its eco-friendly design, a natural pond is incorporated into the property, providing another element that allows inhabitants to connect with nature. The master bathroom also features views overlooking the garden, ensuring that even private spaces maintain a visual relationship with the external environment. Horizontal bands in the architecture create elevated green spaces, which appear to hover in the air, contributing to the home's distinctive and harmonious integration with its site. In essence, 'La Terre' represents a comprehensive architectural solution that prioritizes sustainability, aesthetic integration with nature, and a harmonious living experience through innovative use of materials, passive design strategies, and thoughtful spatial planning. #EcoFriendlyHome #RammedEarthArchitecture #SustainableDesign #PassiveHousePrinciples #ResidentialArchitecture #SurreyCountryside #DHaus #BiophilicDesign #GreenArchitecture