Everyone knows the story of Snow White: A beautiful princess is given a poisoned apple that causes her to fall into a deep sleep, which she undertakes in a glass casing in the midst of an enchanted forest. While Snow White’s succumbing to the “sleeping death” is presented as a tragic plot point in the story, there is nevertheless something enviable about the image of her resting there, encased in glass, surrounded by lush trees and friendly woodland creatures. One cannot help but wish they could trade places with her, just for a day, and lie down in this secure, transparent chamber overseen by a benevolent natural world.
Laertis-Antonios Ando Vassiliou, co-founder of OPA and chief of LAAV Architects, seems to have channeled his inner Snow White fantasist for his latest conceptual project: a concrete home located in a pine forest that features glass ceilings and a swimming pool. In this verdant oasis, one can simply kick back and enjoy floating on the cool water. Gazing outward from the pool or pool deck, only placid nature beckons, rendering this leisure spot a true reprieve from our hectic, urban lives.
The rectangular house is divided into three stories, with a living area, dining area, kitchen and garage located downstairs, the swimming pool positioned on the second floor and bedrooms placed on the third floor. Full-length windows allow nature to pour into the interior spaces in an uninterrupted fashion reminiscent of Mies van der Rohe’s famous Farnsworth House.
Transparency is a major feature within the house, with a glass ceiling above the first floor offering a clear view of the swimming pool. The second floor is capped with a mirrored ceiling, which further adds to the illusion of openness. From the top floor, too, one is granted visual access to the pool by way of glazed openings in the floor. The overall scheme of the house involves a remarkable degree of unity.
Perhaps the most magical feature of this home is the way natural light is reflected off the mirrored ceiling and the surface of the water. Due to the transparent ceilings and generous allotment of windows, this play of spangled light will continue through each floor of the home.
All images via designboom