The Concrete house, consists of building a new house to be situated not far from a pine state forest on a 1000sqm plot of previously agricultural land. The site was a rectangular plot with rocky outcrops and no trees with a steady slope (from south to north) of 1.5m from one end to the other. The brief requested a two bedroom house where all the rooms had to be on the same level and to allow for the most amount of greenery feasible as the Client enjoyed gardening and entertaining family and friends in the garden. The Client, being an interior decorator, wanted a contemporary building reflecting her design preferences and showcasing various elements used in her recent decors. The tight budget meant we needed proposed a building which was both, efficient in its usage, low on maintenance but strong in presence while subtle in its integration with the surrounding area, still agricultural to a certain extent.The use of timber boarding off-shutter concrete formwork was selected with regards to the close proximity to the pine forest together with the low maintenance required for the exterior of the building.The living/ dining space, forming the heart of the house, is devised to act as both, a covered terrace and a formal living/ dining space. Two large glazed openings either side are provided which can be operated to respond according to the tropical climatic conditions.The rough-sawn pine formwork boarding was the modular element used throughout the building is further reflected in the local blue-basalt tiling modules used for the covered deep eave and entry wall. The pine formwork was treated and re-used in its natural cement-stained condition to provide the false ceiling to the external perimeter of the building adding texture and character to the chosen materials palette.This contrast in materials successfully provides timeless qualities to this house adding a contemporary edge which responds positively to tropical climatic conditions while maintaining a cosy atmosphere within the abode.
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