Seamless Integration with Topography
The architectural design of this residential project was born from a profound dialogue with our clients, who sought a highly functional living environment while requiring minimal routine maintenance. The primary challenge at the project's inception was the site's complex geometry: a relatively compact plot that descends from the street level, characterized by a significant dual-slope topography. Our design approach transformed this challenge into a unique architectural opportunity, utilizing the natural terrain to position a two-story structure on the plot - accommodating everyday family life on the top level, while placing office and studio spaces on the lower level. Doing this we achieved a significant spatial advantage, since each of the two floors was meticulously planned to feature its own direct exit to the garden. This ensures that the immediate connection to the outdoors is seamlessly preserved across the entire living experience, grounding the architecture in its natural context.
Diverse Outdoor Spaces and Micro-Climates
A guiding principle in this project was the creation of a rich variety of outdoor spaces, distinguished by their size, purpose, and unique micro-climatic qualities. We established a functional layout tailored to diverse daily scenarios. A spacious front hosting yard opens up entirely to the breathtaking landscape, embracing the natural breezes. In contrast, an inner courtyard—situated carefully between the house and the street—offers a wind-protected, secure play area ideal for children. This indoor-outdoor synergy extends further into the service and dining areas. A direct exit from the kitchen allows quick access for picking fresh herbs. In the dining area, a massive glass window blurs the boundaries, making indoor meals feel remarkably like dining alfresco. Furthermore, the primary bedroom boasts a cantilevered balcony which generates a fascinating visual illusion, making the interior space appear to cascade directly into the distant horizon.
Pure Geometry, Smart Layout and Flexibility
The clean aesthetic of the residence relies on precise geometry and a restrained, timeless material palette, carefully blending pure white, modern grey, and the warm touch of natural wood color. To maintain this minimalist architectural language, we integrated highly creative storage solutions that facilitate optimal clutter concealment, both indoors and out. For example, a dedicated hidden niche was designed beside the entrance door specifically to stow away outdoor children's toys, while the substantial space beneath the stairs descending from the street was cleverly maximized for vital storage. The architectural plan establishes a smart functional separation between public and private zones, as well as between the parents' and children's wings. Additionally, we incorporated elements of dynamic, future-proof planning. A play room, currently designed as an open space for toddlers, is structurally prepared to be easily enclosed and converted into an additional, separate bedroom as the children grow.
From Transit Axis to a Sunlit Architectural Gem
Running through the very center of the house is the primary circulation axis, connecting the various wings and leading downstairs to the lower level. Rather than leaving this space as a mundane, purely functional corridor, we transformed it into the true architectural centerpiece of the home. Along this passageway, we designed an impressive six-meter-long library. Its reverse side cleverly serves as the main feature wall in the living room, defining the character of the space, yet not reaching the ceiling. This high roofed area is illuminated by an upper skylight that bathes the center of the home in soft, natural daylight, creating dynamic plays of light and shadow that shift gracefully throughout the day while facilitating natural ventilation. At the end of this hallway, the visual journey concludes with a wide window featuring a built-in bench—a carefully crafted element that frames the exterior landscape perfectly, creating an intimate, quiet, and inspiring reading nook.
