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Architects: Roberto Riofrio Navarro - Micaela Rodrigo Graña
- Area: 395 m²
- Year: 2011
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Photographs:Elsa Ramirez
Text description provided by the architects. The housing unit is a temporary summer home developed in the coastal desert of Lima, 95Km from the city. The stretch of land stands on a moderate slope in a privileged location with a frontal view to a golf course and a lateral view to the sea.
As a starting point, stands a large, comfortable terrace ending in a longitudinal swimming pool, which represents the main living space. On both sides of the plot, green areas may be found, which allow for natural illumination on the lower levels. These green areas define a lighter upper volume, which when separated from the base, takes the stage as the central element of the composition. This volume was given a starring role by working it in a closed way and by giving it a light, clearly defined aesthetic.
The sun sets towards the back of the lot, which is used in the solution to provide the necessary shade to the deck by extending the volume’s upper edge, making it more distinctive and dynamic. The suspended main volume then shows a notorious diagonal that may be seen front the deck and from outside the plot. This resulting diagonal is taken as a composition gesture that is repeated as an inclined plane in the entrance, in the two stairways and in the irregular openings in the side facade.
Another element which incorporates the diagonal aesthetic is the perimeter walls. Along with providing privacy to the lower level, they bring together into the composition the suspended upper volume and the lower frame of the secondary bedrooms. This ends up unifying smoothly and continuously the unit’s three levels into one single dynamic element.
The materials used, the walls painted in white, and the exposed concrete walls and veneered floors in gray, give the interior a neutral atmosphere, carefully illuminated, which allows to appreciate the use of space and the fluidity in the path between the different ambiences.
Access to the house is from the more elevated part in the back, and the layout considers three levels: the top gives way to vehicular and pedestrian access. The entrance is from the side with a tangential view to the suspended volume. An open courtyard leads to the hall of the house, and from this point, stairs go down to the social area, a bridge gives access to the master bedroom. The social area, pool and kitchen may be found at the mid-level. These areas are more open and are designed to connect with the landscape. The secondary bedrooms, family room and service area are found in the lower level. Two of the bedrooms have a frontal view, while the other areas are lit through the lateral openings.
The extensive program of this housing unit includes five bedrooms, living room, dining room, terrace, swimming pool, family room, kitchen, two car garage, storage area, laundry area and service bedroom and bathroom. Traditional building methods were followed, using a concrete structure and brick walls, plastered and painted.
