Villa L

A young family with three children wants a house that will fulfill their dreams: a paradox of a house that is simple yet surprising, open yet specific, minimal yet luxurious. We resolved these paradoxes with a design for a house (1300 m2) based on a radical differentiation of spatial experiences on three floors (one subterranean), the maximum buildable envelope on this 5000 m2 site. Three clear levels, with three very different characters and functionalities as a container for family life to emerge. One level is for living: the generously open ground floor. A travertin strip of serving rooms provides an easily accessible infrastructure for the luxuriously open living spaces that are oriented maximally to the sun and view. In close relation to this living area there are two mirror glass covered studies located on the north side. One level for sleeping and privacy: the collection of rooms on the first floor.

Set in a delicate roof garden, all the bedrooms are autonomous volumes crafted in their entirety from a very dark wood. They work like a village of cabins, providing intimacy and privacy. Every room is like a world of its own with private views over the (roof) garden. One level is for guests, storage, and wellness: the curved basement. Through excavations, the pool and the guest rooms have fully glazed facades and direct access to the gardens.

Electricity is provided by 100 m2 of photo-voltaic panels, while all water is heated on-site through solar-heated vacuum-tubes and a deep-level, underground heat- exchange. This last system is also used in summer to cool the house. Finally, all exterior walls have an increased insulation-value (twice the standard) to minimize loss of energy. A house designed for the hectic life of an evolving family— united yet fragmented, plural yet whole.