rg house
The house’s design is guided by the following aspects:
1- a careful insertion in the terrain, seeking at the same time the preservation of the natural topography that characterizes it in the landscape and also the maximum integration of the building in the landscape through its color – fair-faced concrete or other material that disguises its presence at a distance -, and also through the slight manipulation of the topography so as to elevate some of the mounds that contribute to reinforce the characteristics of the natural landscape as well as to partially hide the built volume to those who see it from the city.
2- to give value to paths and permanence areas through the arrangement of openings that allow alternate views to the myriad of landscapes and to the internal patio that lends ambiance to the social areas. Thus, the following sequence of spaces with different characteristics is established: the hall/gallery, closed to the landscape and open to the sky through the zenital opening located at the bottom of the pool; the living room/library, with a higher ceiling-height than the rest of the house, open to the city and the mountain, as well as to the internal patio and side veranda; the veranda, more open to the city and open, with strategic openings that direct a view to the sunset, balancing the opening to the view with a necessary protection to sun exposure; the exterior ramp with access to the roof, allows a stroll over the landscape of the mountains; the dining room, open to the patio and the mountain; intimate circulation, closed, with lighting at the back to the internal garden; master bedroom, open to the city and the mountain and also to the internal garden that light the central portion, which is more private; and at last, the bathroom, open to the tranquil view of the mountain and with an interior differentiated by the inclined plane that finalizes the built volume, with a band of light along the ceiling.
3- a clear distinction between public and private spaces, promoting gradients that allow more private and independent accesses, so as to secure total independence between the social and the service activities, and these from the intimate area of the house.
4- to give value to the rooftop as a leisure and contemplation space, in complete harmony with the surrounding landscape. It is also thought as one of the main accesses to the house, considering the presence of the helipad and its constant use.
5- the emphasis on the presence of the internal patios and their role as ambiance elements for the other rooms as being as important as the landscape itself, valuing their interior character in the social area as well as in the master bedroom. The central patio is still treated as the main articulating element between the three floors, securing quick access to the roof – and a generous access to the garage on the lower level.
The design is structured in the search of a balance between the multiple vital aspects: the place and the importance and beauty of the surrounding landscape and the mountain in which it is placed; the use demands, the search of a balance between openness and privacy, views from the house and the built volume’s visibility; the qualifying of the multiple interior spaces through the polarity between interior – patio – and exterior – landscape; the construction and the structure in post-tensed concrete that allows simple forms and large spaces, anchoring the house to the mountain as a large boat anchored to the landscape.