Casa Alta.
AS/D asociación de diseño
Located
on a steep slope within a 1,500 square meter plot with magnificent views to the
valley, the main structure of this weekend house consists of a 6 m by 6m module
in three levels with just 108 square meters and a roof deck overlooking the
valley.
The
structural walls made of striped exposed concrete make this house a monolith
inserted in a steep topography highlighting discreet light penetration, as well
as directed views towards the garden.
A
staircase parallel to the site guides the user from the entry level to the
outdoor platform below, the same way in which the house is interconnected from
the lower level to the roof garden.
The
site presents a difference in level of about 16 meters in one direction,
offering magnificent views of the surroundings; the house is inserted at a
specific level from which it optimizes different entry levels and the
integration of the exterior space. A clear connection is generated throughout
the 3 main levels of the projects: entry level, the levels of the house and the
lower level platform containing the pool. The project is conceived as stacking
program enclosing different uses on specific levels of the site.
The
house works a vertical block organized by vertical circulation through a
stacked staircase which connects the user to different levels and program
having on the lower level the kitchen with dining area, the intermediate level
or entry level the living room, the top
level the bedroom and full bathroom, and above that the roof deck. The directed
views are key to the project as per orientation of each level and space
interconnection on the inside.
A
platform on the lowest part of the site becomes the common space for
relaxation, ending with the landscape intervention and programmatic experience.
This platform of 200 square meters consists o f a swimming pool, grill, outdoor
dining tables, and lounge spaces, with views the valley as well as the river.
The design of the ventilated facade is conceived with
the idea of somehow printing an abstract image of a tree, just as if the house
would camouflage with the many existing trees from the site.
The façade evolves from the
idea of digital pointillism where the image of a tree is digitalized with the
same technique of the impressionist paintings, where the user is able to see
the full image from a distance but as one gets closer it becomes a constellation
of pixels which gives a unique texture to the house. This is achieved with 232
Trespa panels from which 40% are perforated using CNC technology for the
fabrication and precision and placed on an aluminum sub-structure.
Casa Alta, is a subtle intervention to the site, context and vegetation, with a minimum
footprint to allocate the basic needs for a weekend house. A house that becomes
and observatory from the inside and a house of intervention from the outside. A house to enjoy the
outdoors.
Type: SINGEL FAMILY RESIDENCEArchitectural design: AS/D
asociación de diseño. Fernando Velasco + Paola Morales
Team: Santiago García de Letona, Fernando Polidura, Natalia
Gomez, Piergianna Mazzocca Construction: Punto y Raya
Arquitectura y construcción + AS/D asociación de diseño
Facade: material:
Trespa installation: KatorceespaciosStructure: Ing. Cesar Pérez CarbajalLocation: Huixquilucan Estado de
México. MéxicoPlot Area: 1,600 m2Built Area: House. 108 m2,
Platform 200 m2, services 30 m2Project Year: 2010Construction Year: 2011-2012
Photography: Rafael Gamo
www.asd-architecture.com