Planar House is a radical exercise in horizontality, an aspect commonly explored in the projects of the studio. Discreetly inserted at the highest point of the plot and favouring the existing topography, its presence is most strongly felt in its footprint rather than its volume, providing as it does an extensive line in an open landscape.
This type of insertion on the plot demanded care and attention for the design of the rooftop, which is the fifth facade of the building. This was an exercise in composition and selection of equipment, such as solar panels and skylights. The green roof mimics the surrounding lawn, as well as contributing to the thermal comfort in the house.
Structurally, the slab is a rigid platform that is supported not by beams but directly by the pillars, which are distributed modularly in three axes. The cross-shaped metallic pillars are homage to the elegant proportions of Miesian architecture.
Under the roof, there are two programmatic boxes, the first one houses the service areas, gym, tv and playrooms, and the second the five en-suite bedrooms. The living rooms are located at the extremities and can be completely opened or closed by sliding glass doors that transform the entire house into a terrace. The interiors are made of low and solid wood furniture and the layout of the spaces leaves enough space for free circulation between the furniture and the panels, allowing an individualised reading of each piece. A translucent multicoloured club-chair hanging from the slab becomes the focus of attention and contrasts with the horizontality of the house.
Surrounding the rigid formal distribution, there is a vertical winding wall made of solid bricks arranged in solids and voids. Paradoxically, it defines the different relationships between the internal and external spaces. Walls, which are usually a symbol of division and isolation, in this project, are at times concave and at others convex, embracing the entrance garden and creating transparencies, as well as offering protection from the street. Its brick texture contributes to a cosy atmosphere and creates light filters with kinetic effects as the day passes.
‘’The judges were won over by this minimalist, longitudinal residence, which is a radical exercise in Miesian horizontality that echoes the signature style of the designers. Discreetly inserted at the highest point of a beautiful landscape and with panoramic views across the surrounding topography, the house offers residents a variety of enclosed and open spaces underneath an imposing concrete roof covered in grass, which becomes the fifth facade of the building. Under the roof, a perforated brick wall snakes through the building contrasting with the otherwise orthogonal layout. The interiors feature a limited material palette of wood and concrete, and sliding glass doors enable the living spaces to be completely opened to provide a seamless transition between indoors and outdoors.’’