This past year we had the opportunity to develop a unique project in the Ivory Coast that pushed the boundaries on structural design and had as its main goal, to blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors.
Composed by three main blocks, of private and social areas, including 5 suites, gym, office, indoor and outdoor kitchen and living areas, a pool overlooking the lake, and an outdoor courtyard, this African Villa truly encompasses the values of Brazilian contemporary design, blending Nature and incredible craftsmanship of concrete and wood elements.
Due to the tropical weather, being outside, in a shaded area was a must. So we designed the house to protect its users from direct sunlight in the lounge and seating areas, and allowed for natural sun incidence on the transitional and pool areas.
The design’s main feature, are its mushroom-shaped columns, which structure the entire second floor and roof slabs.
These columns were engineered to minimize the necessity for secondary columns, and open the space for more usage.
On the upper levels, the concrete slabs morph into beautiful curved planters, once again bringing nature to all areas of the house.
On the interior, we used a combination of natural tones, limewash paint, concrete details, wood slats and panels, balancing warmth and texture.
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Location: Ivory Coast
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Year: 2022
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Architecture: @victorbortiz_architecture + @obrevalarquitetura
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Structural Engineer: FM Enterprises @fmalawar
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Local Architecture: Atelier TOUMA