Project Overview
Redefining the language of weekend homes, this house in Dromana, relaxed on its vehemently contoured landscape, wound up in curious and abstracted design elements. Bound to enrich the vacation with an elegant dialogue of nature, and a mix of awe and comfort at once, its layout and transitions narrate the story of how the two blocks were derived from the context, as they organically flow in and out of nature as one.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
KOS Architecture and Interiors
Team
Yimmy Kosasih
Project Brief
Located at a node in a residential area, surrounded by old and simple residences, this weekend home had a perfect opportunity to become a point of attraction and generate wonder in the visual field of two streets. The area where the site is located is camouflaged beautifully with the forest in its vicinity. It was a perfect site to redefine both the architectural language of the area and the experience of vacations.
The brief was to design a unique Contemporary abode in a rustic Mediterranean style, with organic openings to enjoy and complement the beauty of the surrounding landscape and the views of the forest. Although the spatial requirements were clear, the responsibility of organically connecting it with nature, desired language and generating a wholesome, private, and relaxing home was left to us. With an affinity for textured walls and simplistic interconnected spaces, the client was eager to see us blend the interiors with the semi-private outdoor spaces on the steep contoured site and bring their musings to life.
Embracing the design language and the contours, we managed the residence to sit on it as if it wandered and settled, spreading its arms into two contemporary textured blocks with circular openings to peep within. The decision to divide the form opened up an array of opportunities to incorporate the lush landscape within and render the space with bright natural light and unique interaction with the outside.
Project Innovation/Need
The abode’s integrated inside out design and the organic arched language is the first one in the area, which adds a new benchmark for the future developments, thus facelifting and increasing the value of the surroundings. Although the inside out is a trending concept, this residence takes a fresh take on it with its bifurcated form curiously carving out the internal courtyards to protect the privacy and comfort of the occupants.
It is a design fit to become an inspiration for the new normal after the pandemic, equipped to facilitate the new work from home culture along with the much-needed natural refreshment and comfort within the home.
As the residence settles into the site, the windowsill levels with the ground and converts the window into a feasible exit from the house and a soothing extension to the outside. Such design features reflect an optimistic manipulation of challenges being turned into design opportunity.
Design Challenge
The site of this project was the ultimate mentor for the design. It shaped it, restricted it, and celebrated it, all at the same time. The contoured site was indeed a pleasure to work with and it is what tamed the design, but along with it came the challenge of the location. The site falls into the second most forest-fire prone area. Therefore, designing for safety was the biggest priority. Using non-combustible concrete panels and planning every space to allow easy escape and proper ventilation added another layer of thoughtfulness to the plan being shaped to settle onto the steep contours.
Thus, came about the large arched openings, exit points from the courtyards and the micro cement finished, elegant beige, slightly nuanced and natural textured walls throughout. The two-block design and smart material choices became the ultimate solution to address multiple challenges and embrace the wonderful surroundings and climate at the same time.
Sustainability
Surpassing the standards, the house is designed for 8-star energy rating, striving to protect its wholesome location. With a water body 1.5 km away, and the native fauna surrounding the abode, the design had the responsibility to carefully respond to the built as well as natural context.
Proudly built with the ecofriendly AAC (autoclaved aerated concrete) panels known to achieve a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and embodied energy and produce 30% less environmental waste compared to traditional concrete. The choice of this green material not only contributes to reduction of embodied energy, but its thermal mass and enhanced insulation also contributes to the energy efficiency of the house.
Further, the weekend home is equipped with several active sustainable strategies including solar panels on the upper roofs, and an efficient grey water reuse system for the landscaping. Even within, it is equipped with the highest quality and efficiency of appliances, lighting, and hardware.
Along with these active measures, the design inherently contributes towards an energy efficient approach through its fenestrations. Despite the unfavorable site orientation, the spaces towards the west are protected from the harsh sun using carefully selected high performance external roller shutters that ensures the precise and incremental control of light, heat, glare, and privacy in the residence, thus reducing the energy consumption. Sustainable choices were an integral part of the design process and has been applied to all aspects- from the outer envelope to the smallest details of the home.
Architecture - Proposed
This award celebrates the design process and product of planning, designing and constructing form, space and ambience that reflect functional, technical, social, and aesthetic considerations. Consideration given for material selection, technology, light and shadow. The project can be a concept, tender or personal project, i.e. proposed space.
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