Masterful Volumes on a Sloped Terrain
This luxury residential project was somewhat of a masterclass in adapting modern architecture to challenging natural topography. Situated on a sloped plot that rises steeply from the street level, the home’s layout begins with a discreet, functional garage at street level. Just above it, an expansive viewing balcony extends outward from the main public living spaces, capturing panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape. In order to break down the total mass of the house, whilst serving both aesthetic and functional needs, we strategically divided the architectural massing into three distinct volumes, each defined by unique materiality, geometric form, and a specific relationship to the outdoors. A sleek, minimalist white box soars above the street, maintaining an open dialogue with the horizon. Grounding the rear of the elevated plot is a solid, earth-bound volume clad in grey stone with a unique modern pattern. Floating effortlessly above both of these elements is a striking third volume wrapped in a warm, wood-like finish, completing a dynamic, balanced tri-part architectural composition.
The Transparent Joint and Ethereal Circulation
The architectural joint connecting these three diverse volumes is a transparent, glass-enclosed transition space, featuring a meticulously crafted staircase and a connecting bridge that link the different wings and levels of the house. Engineered from a delicate combination of white iron, natural wood, and white metal mesh railings, the circulation path is intentionally lightweight and modern. These metal elements emphasize linear movement while completely eliminating visual bulk, and enabling long, fascinating, and uninterrupted sight lines between the various areas of the house.
A Program Designed for Fluid Living and Entertaining
We carefully tailored the spatial program to beautifully accommodate both expansive entertaining and intimate family life. The main floor serves as the active, public heart of the residence, seamlessly connecting the front-facing scenic balcony to a lush rear courtyard situated at the natural ground level. These outdoor sanctuaries feature a stunning swimming pool, a fully equipped outdoor kitchen and bar, rich landscaping, and inviting seating areas perfect for hosting. The main level also houses dedicated home offices for the owners, alongside pristine guest suites designed specifically to welcome their visiting daughters. On the opposite side of the property, a mid-level patio and a sunken courtyard draw abundant natural light into the basement, transforming it into a bright, self-contained residential unit for another daughter. Finally, the top floor is reserved entirely for a spacious, tranquil master suite, offering ultimate privacy, with ensuite bathroom, extensive walk in closet and intimate terrace facing the distant bright sea view.
Curating Memories Through Interior Design
Beyond creating a striking exterior shell, we designed the interiors to cultivate an atmosphere of profound warmth, character, and personal history. The expansive open-plan living and dining spaces feature a masterful blend of carefully curated new design pieces alongside beloved furniture from the family’s previous home. This intentional fusion of old and new ensures that the cutting-edge modern architecture is instantly imbued with cherished memories and familiar comforts, preventing the space from feeling overly clinical. By gracefully weaving these sentimental items into a crisp, contemporary layout, we successfully delivered a project that is not only a marvel of structural massing and topographical optimization but also a deeply authentic, inviting, and timeless family estate.
