UNDER THE TREES

The brief of this residence is based on three ideas. Allow generous, well-lit spaces for living and working, promote maximum contact with the natural surroundings and take into account sustainable principles in its design.

Built with concrete, this dwelling is nestled comfortably into the landscape defined by a dense mass of medium size trees and soft topography. The proposal aims to blend architecture and entourage into one element.

The layout formed by convergent walls provides a fluid and continuous circulation that connects internal and external areas. The “fake” perspectives produced by the walls, ramps and ceilings create different perceptions depending on the observer’s position. In that way, the interior space becomes more dynamic and the stroll much more diverse. All the surfaces that work as the cover of the house are walkable and have been treated with waterproof membranes with a thick layer of natural grass on top. This allows the inhabitant an easy connection with the surrounding nature apart from providing great thermal and acoustic insulation.

The whole building behaves as an inflection of the natural ground. The construction is semi-buried avoiding the impact of the constructed volume in the existing forest but allowing the pedestrian the enjoyment of long-distance views. Being half underground, the building takes advantage of the natural soil thermal mass which is also a great insulator.

Every elevation has been designed to respond accordingly to its specific orientation creating a suite of luminous spectra that change during the day.

Material: Reinforced concrete, timber, glass and grass.Area: 190 m²