Perched atop
a wooded ridge, this residence derives itself and emerges from its site –
inevitably grounded but exceeding its limits to engage with the trees
beyond. The family spaces of the first
floor loosely occupy the free plan while above, explicit spaces are contained
in distinct volumes. Four vertical
“walls of light” separate these private spaces while illuminating the floors
below. Actively embracing the sky, these
shafts become the locus of ornament conceived as a transparent and translucent
lining, accessing light while affording silhouetted privacy. As the shafts move towards the interior of
the house, they carve away the second floor plate to form ‘L’ and ‘T’ shaped
voids. Depending on the specific
location in plan, these larger voids interlock with voids at the first level to
create double-height spaces or to contain vertical circulation. When the upper level circulatory spine
encounters a slot or void, the floor material changes from concrete to
laminated glass. This material change is
not only a signifier, but also a functional means of allowing light to penetrate
the lower levels. Light, then, can
filter through the walkway at the slot locations and also around it since the spine
“floats” between flanking walls. By
blurring the distinctions between familiar oppositions – inside/ outside,
front/ rear, massive/ light – the resultant assemblage dissolves traditional
boundaries of habit.