portfolio 2013 by camilo pelaez

Selected Theoretical Projects & Competitions H Park KiB Athens Student Housing Banana Masacres casestudy Reggio Calabria Town Planning PortaVolta Museum Milano Selected Finished Projects 65 Bintong Park 55 Blair Road 31 Blair Road 28 West Coast Grove 45 Faber Park 72 SentosaCove

Architects: Ong & Ong Pte Ltd Location: Hpark, Singapore Design Team: Diego Molina and Maria Arango. Camilo Pelaez. Project Year: 2009

park is conceived as a system of interlocking residential blocks, defining public and semipublic spaces, with sequences of parks, squares and vast courtyards. The orientation of the each building has been carefully studied to capitalize in natural light, minimizing itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heat component, as well as eliminating the impacts of these buildings on the surrounding natural environment. Each unit, has been provided with grand balconies in order to increase the efficiency of the building envelope with greater shaded areas. The architectural blocks incorporate an additional skin that screens the building, and creates a perfect opportunity for green and rain gardens, in keeping with the ecological and natural aesthetic intentions.

Exploded Isometric View

Winds and Solar Orientation

Day view perspective of comunal ammenities

Typical Floor Plan

We aim for a project that focuses on Multiple Dynamics of inhabiting; through the adequate manipulation of Space and Environment. The site is conceptualized as a series of parallel strips that respond to solar orientation. From these strips, both the enclosed and open spaces, emerge to create an integral system. Varieties of levels arise and sink comprising of bundles of diverse tropical vegetation, green roof tops, swimming pools, jacuzzies, ponds and common recreational activity pits. These elements are disposed randomly as "Oasis" that generate a playful and richer image of the residential complex that interact with all senses of their habitants.

Longitudinal Section

Architects: Ong & Ong Pte Ltd Location: Changi Business Park, Singapore Design Team: Diego Molina and Maria Arango. Camilo Pelaez. Project Year: 2008

n ultra modern building of maximum 7-storey of international standard with ambience, facilities, services, security and quality that promotes the “IMC Way of Life” for IMC staff to work, to entertain, to learn, to recreate as a Community. It will have a basement car park that will accommodate 80 car park bays. The roof-top and floor immedi-

ately below it to be design for recreational, sport, fitness, swimming pool, serviced suites, Executive Club/ Lounge. The Ground Floor Level to be designed to house Main Building Lobby and the “White Activities” of the Building. Auditorium to be located on the second floor of the building. It will be provided with staircase access from the Ground Floor for convenience access / exit of the participants

from Ground Floor to minimize disruption to the other floors of the building. Interior space has to be user friendly, flexible, and adaptable to flexi-office requirements, especially open plan offices, and to maximize economic of space utilization. Designated areas such as floor individual lobby, location for internal staircase linkage, ICT Room, pantry, segregated service bay etc to be provided for ease of future management.

Longitudinal Section

CLOSENESS SCALE

PROXIMITY RANGE RELATIONSHIP

Expansion permutations in Time

natural fibre pin-up partition

mechanical floor panels main entrance step

balcony planter box

Location: Marathonos Athens, Greece Design Team: Camilo Pelaez, Akira Kita, Erick Artavia, Luis Franco Project Year: 2009

wardrobe / storage

telescopic timber deck balcony

shower / toilet translucent cubicle

slide & fold glass doors

sink / storage

module steel structure

solar panels upper balcony pocket

air-con electrical space

slide & fold glass doors sink / storage / wardrobe

facade planter box

hidraulics / technical space

module steel structuret

he concept of this project is based on three scales: urban, building and module. The urban scale The initial thought-provoking impulse of this urban scale was the reincarnation of ancient Greece e.g. Acropolis and Agora. In respect of this, one of the ideas was to open the communal spaces in order to provide a platform for social activities. The primarily existing street, which led through the concerned area, was replaced by a plaza. This concludes in the opening of the entire space, providing it with an urban friendliness while also adding life to it. The plaza, which is mainly thought to be a space for pedestrians, can also be passed through by car and bicycle. Nevertheless, the necessity of speed reduction in an area which is also used by pedestrians and bicyclists, results in less traffic as well as less noise and air pollution.

The spreading of the plots within the affected area resulted in the creation of individual units. These work as independent systems, integrating a feature of self-sufficiency. Furthermore, a balance between nature and artificial is created by incorporating green boundary walls, lush green balconies, renewable energy roof tops etc. into the urban landscape.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The project is approached with three different scales. Urban scale, Building scale and module unit scale.â&#x20AC;? One of the central ideas of the urban scale was to reflect the conception of resonance. The pace and extent of the units proliferation acts according to the boundaries given by their surrounding. Beyond, each unit adjusts to its unique surrounding ensuring the ideal utilization of space. The concept of adaptabil-

ity, permutability and interconnectivity leaves space to an emerging growth process if desired. The building scale The building scale incorporates the concept of sustainability while also approaching space in an urbanistic sense. Each of the apartments is designed to be handicapped accessible. The constraints of the building scale such as the limit of building height, density, unit quantity, shape of the plots and the quantity of parking lots were effectively turned into qualities. The limited building height gives space to green roof tops, solar heat collector and solar panels. Furthermore, the density, unit quantity and shape exemplify their features of adaptability and interconnectivity. Even though the overall concept of this project is to encourage alternative transportation means, sufficient parking spaces are provided. An underground car park was incorporated into lot 36 and 37, making use of the given space efficiently.

The module scale comprises the parameter of efficiency. The strategic design of the single module ensures efficient usage of energy while the prefabricated construction of the modules is cost and time efficient.

Cross ventilation, water treatment, rain water collection, the incorporation of eco-friendly materials and waste management carry on the idea otf sustainability.

Bio-climatological aspects, such as sun orientation, assure efficient usage of solar energy.

Each of the modules is designed to cater to the needs of one person, featuring a living space,

a bathroom and a balcony. The balconies, which can be adjusted according to the needed space, add movement to the facades of the units. The strategic design and planning of infrastructure leaves open the possibility of combining 1, 2 or even 3 modules which then can either be occupied by 1, 2 or 3 students.

solar panel roof green roof terrace calcium cilicate false ceiling

steel deck slab

entrance / storage / wardrobe / sink natural fibre based pin-up partition module steel structure

toilet / shower / study natura fibre based pin-up partition telescopic retractible timber deck balcony timber deck

green creeper wall

prefab floor slab

Exploded Isometric View

Day view perspective Site Plan

The overall scheme of resonance, adaptability, interconnectivity, permutability and the ability to grow emergently resembles the conceptual ideology of a virus. Consisting of one, two or three modules this approach to student housing can vary in shape from simple and limited to more complex and large structures/ spaces. Also, the number of units and their allocation can be specified flexible. One of the main ideas of this concept is that it can spread in many ways, always adapting to its surrounding â&#x20AC;&#x201C; just as a virus does.

Internally displaced people exceed 10% of total population causing uncontrolled rapid urbanization in cities

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1948 J. E. Gaitan Murder Bogotazo and ViolenceEpoch War of political parties

War between Guerillas, Paramilitary and Drug cartel for Coca and Amapolla teritories against government forces high crime and homicide rates Initial negotiations between working class syndicates and corporations with no positive results l na l io ra t at ltu n rn u e es te gric stm tur n i e c of r a nv ru n fo f i st tio g o fra ra in ge in ig ek n rt m se cha po Im ns ex ea 10 tio in d s 19 ora ss an rp ne ys co usi wa b ail r in

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Syndicates acused by media to be communist and subversive Government sympathetic to corps

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AUC paramilitary groups take control corporations like Chiquita, Dole and Del Monte

1928 Working Class Strike pleading for better treatment, health insurance, salary raise, free sundays, no buying coupons

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1492 Discovery of America. Colonization Exploitation and Violation

Colombian land is granted to corporations such as United Fruit Company

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The Banana Masacres Cienaga, Santa Marta. Colombia Atlantic Coast 1928

1810 Independence and Ethnical mixture

Academic Project: Politecnico di Milano. Stefano Boeri Location: Rosarno, Reggio Calabria. Design Team: Camilo Pelaez. Bogdan Stojanovic. Ludovica Tomarchio. Armine Maksudyan. Moheydin Navibi. Project Year: 2011

he project starts from the observation of the territory that is both from a productive and a landscape point of view homogenous with the agricultural system and the exception of the harbor. The harbor is disconnected to the nearby settlements. We tried to think how to reconnect those three settlements with the harbor, and the area that looked more calling for an intervention was the triangle behind the Harbor, characterized by the presence of the abandoned fabrics. The idea is to implement green energy production technologies in the

triangle with the development of five main technologies: windmills and photovoltaic panels to produce energy, garbage treatment, with biogas production center, a waste division center and the preexistent incinerator, and water treatment, with water collectors and water treatments centers. The output if those investments, that producing green energy will have the benefits of the EU funds will be used to implement a landscape intervention and a huge area for social events. This intervention is required in order to promote social gathering, social identification and economical gaining.

he polifuctional area is a huge space taken from the harbor of 600X400 m that will use the cranes and the containers of the harbor to shape itself in an always different ways. Flexibility and bigness will create a unique area that can host concerts or exhibition of out of scale elements. The triangle

will appear shaped by three stripes. One connected to the harbor activities, one with the previous industries treated with photovoltaic panels, reused for the water/garbage treatment , and the third one will be a mixture of landscape interventions in reference with the fields and high technological elements such as windmills and water collectors.

SERVICES

Academic Project: Politecnico di Milano. Cino Zucchi Location: Milano, Italy. Design Team: Camilo Pelaez. Bogdan Stojanovic. Project Year: 2011

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OFFICES MAIN HALL

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archive

SOLAR PANEL ENERGY EXHIBITION SPACE FLEXIBILITY EXAMPLES

laboratory

open space

EXHIBITION SPACE FLEXIBILITY EXAMPLES

services ORIGINAL PROGRAM AREAS

COLLECTION SPACE RATIO

PROGRAM+INTEGRATED SERVICES

PROGRAM DISTRIBUTION

EXHIBITION SPACE FLEXIBILITY EXAMPLES

INTERACTIVE PERFORATIONS

PRIVATE

Academic Project: Politecnico di Milano. Cino Zucchi Location: Milano, Italy. Design Team: Camilo Pelaez. Bogdan Stojanovic. Project Year: 2011

Day View perspective

Architects: Ong & Ong Pte Ltd Location: 55 Blair Road, Singapore Design Team: Diego Molina and Maria Arango. Camilo Pelaez. Interior Furnishing: YPS House Area: 288 m2 Project Year: 2009 Photographs: Derek Swalwell

his project produces a spatial experience that excites the senses by promoting light open plan living which is unusual to this type of terrace

house. This residence brings a balance between nature and contemporary living in a renovation of an Art Deco style terrace. Concept- To create a light open plan living space, whilst

promoting Inside / outside space. The contrasting relationship between the metallic elements and subtle tones within the house create an exciting spatial relationship throughout.

The kitchen has been finished in a seamless aluminum cladding. This creates a refined kitchen space. A balance between the aluminum and the frangipani garden in the internal courtyard has developed a stimulating spatial experience. The contrasting

Exploded Isometric View

relationship between the organic element and the long linear metal elements provide a suitable connecting space. Several stepping-stones link the lounge and kitchen space across the pool divide.

The Century Frangipani is a native tree that has been associated with Buddhist and Hindu cultures. The old twisted trunk adds to the character of the house. It is contained within modern elements. This reflects the concept of the house in the way the old facade contains the modern.

Eat-in Kitchen and Pool View from Living Area

55 Blair road project is a renovation and restoration to a traditional art deco style shop house. Originally the house was renovated 10 years ago. The new owner however believed it was too dark and desired more light in the living spaces. Adhering to the conservation constraints of maintaining the existing envelope, a solution was reached. The residence was design around a young professional who had a clear vision of how the house should appear. The final scheme met that vision. The entire second floor in the main section of the house had been allocated for a master bedroom/study space with an en suite bathroom. The restored traditional faรงade of the property envelops the new living space accommodating all the desired spaces of the client. Living Area View

Bringing light into this long plot was an important consideration. A large air well divides the two sections of the house allowing for maximum light to penetrate the living spaces. Aluminum wall cladding wraps around the void. The aluminum bands reflect light into the living spaces.

directly to the pool. The main section of the house is separated by the out door pool and frangipani garden. When both sides of the glazed partitions are open the first floor becomes one large space. The scheme proves to be an approach that promotes diversity of space.

The void acts not only as a large light well but also encourages natural ventilation within the house. The intricate linear bands are a modern contrast that reflects the traditional ornate faรงade. This metallic architectural language used throughout the scheme emphasizes a unity within the spaces. The subtle tones and metallic elements complement each other to create a common theme throughout the house.

The ground floor is not only a lounge and dinning area it is an ideal place to relax and sit poolside. The intention to create a diverse space on the first floor adds huge value and appeal to a property this size.

Continuity of space was a key concept to promote the relationship of outside/inside space. The First floor employs flexible glazed walls that lead

The TV and music appliances are hidden in recesses in the wall that are concealed when not in use buy larges pieces of art, this reiterates the concept of continuity of spaces. The lighting can be controlled by an integrated computer that can be used to set lighting moods within the house.

The rear section (service area) of the house accommodates the kitchen space , a powder room, the maids’ room and a roof terrace. A steel spiral staircase links these spaces. The internal courtyard divides the two sections of the house however the same choice of materials is carried though the whole scheme to ensure unity. The house is laid out on an axis that almost acts as a line of symmetry. The layout of spaces certainly is arranged to this line. The master bedroom features an en suite bathroom space that is a contrasting architectural language to that of the façade. It is a glazed box that cantilevers over the pool area. This modern intervention emphasizes the playful nature of the scheme. Internally there is a total contrast to the ornate façade. The unsubtle architectural styles contrast each other in a way that contributes to the overall scheme. The traditional flooring was used within the modern addition. The walnut planks runs through the second and third floors in response to

the heritage of the property. The sculpted stone bathtub sits at the edge of the cantilevered box overlooking the pool and garden below. The other bathroom fixtures are constructed in a similar stone. However the bathtub is the key architectural feature that completes the bathroom Another appealing feature of the master bedroom is that there is a large void that allows a view down to the first floor. The plan of the Master bedroom space is true to the axial layout of the house. Integrated symmetrical bookshelves line the walls that lead to the study area. To overcome the constraint of maintaining the height of the second floor a new mezzanine space was created to accommodate an additional guest bedroom in the attic space. A jack roof was necessary to allow sufficient light into the attic. Light is able to penetrate through the house The main spiral staircase depicts a rhythmic ribbon that ascends to attic space. This key architec-

tural feature acts as a central pin through the main section of the residence. Naturally lit by a roof cylindrical skylight that creates a vertical strik that can reach the bottom part of the stairs. This organic approach reflects the natural aspects of the house with a modern interpretation. On the second and third floors the stairwell is encased in a stainless steel mesh. This detaches the circulation space and spatially breaks up the bedroom areas. The overall scheme successfully establishes a relationship between inside and outside space. The approach of situating a swimming pool in the centre of the house produces a space that is diverse and suitable to a range of activities. The benefits of the flexible space leading to the air well gives the occupant the option of creating a different type of space within the house. The aluminum clad air well draws light into the residence ensuring a well-let open plan living space meeting the client’s desires.

Architects: Ong & Ong Pte Ltd Location: 31 Blair Road, Singapore Design Team: Diego Molina and Maria Arango. Camilo Pelaez. Project Team: Diego Molina and Maria Arango. Camilo Pelaez. Ryan Manuel. Linda Qing House Area: 306 m2 Project Year: 2009 Photographs: Tim Nolan

Contemporary renovation of an Art Deco style terrace house, results in an austere neutral living space. Concept- Continuity of spaces eliminate the boundary between inside and outside, in

order to create multiple relationships between diverse activities that occur in a residential realm. Austere and Minimalistic with a constant analogy to industrial spaces. The final scheme is an innovative response to the constraints of a conservation building. A

traditional faรงade embraces a contemporary way of living, that has meticulously achieved a delicate balance between the old and the new. This has created a unique and effective house design, the exterior and the modern approach to the interior has been designed in context with the surroundings.

Exploded Isometric View

Conservation aspects The scheme is an innovative response to the constraints of a conservation house. The beauty of the house is that it has a neutral environment that has been designed to appeal to all tastes, due to its future rental focus. Conservation of properties in Singapore advocate: Maximum retention Sensitive restoration

Careful repair It was necessary that most of the existing elements of the building envelope were retained, this constraint helped shape the project. Inspiration was taken from the smallest detail on the existing faรงade (the bamboo motifs). Subtlety this theme was carried throughout the project. The five-foot way leading to the double leafed entrance, typical

to shop houses in this area has been sensitively restored to its original condition. This particular property features a forecourt that gives spatial and additional green relief to the narrow plot. The decision was made to populate this space with a dense luscious bamboo garden, in response to the ornate bamboo details that feature on the front faรงade.

nother key constraint was that the height of the second floor was unable to be altered, to ensure that the front elevation did not change. Inventively the ceiling was raised to accommodate additional space in the roof. Creating a mezzanine space on the second floor.To resolve lighting issues within this new space, a jack roof was created to allow large amounts of light in. A new light and airy space had been crafted. Monochromatic tone selection was used throughout the scheme to accentuate that the project was attuned to the conservation aspects of the site. It is apparent that the colour pallet used in the project creates a clear connection with the heritage of the site. The subtle choice of natural materials does not draw attention away from the historic aspects of the scheme, only compliments them. On approach the house looks like any other renovated terrace on the street. Past the thick bamboo front garden the initial impression upon entering is the continuous view through the building. It is

spacious for this kind of typical long and narrow terrace plot.A fixed furniture wall running the length and height of the house, allows for an open living space. This creates continuity between all social activities at ground level. The designed furniture wall functionally accommodates all living necessities and extends to all other floors. Each area is defined by the use of subtle cove lighting and recesses in the walls that suit multiple atmospheres. An elegant solution The folded steel-sheet staircase hangs elegantly from a suspended I beam at the top of the house.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;This sculptural circulation space services the main part of the house. Inspiration is drawn from the bamboo theme creating a key architectural feature in the house. The staircase is a playful addition to the house.â&#x20AC;?

ontinuity of space

Each bedroom benefits from an uncluttered en-suite bathroom, that employs sliding doors that tuck away into the walls. This strengthens the continuity of space throughout the house. Materials used like natural teak run throughout the upper two floors encouraging a warm feeling. White terrazzo flooring gives a spacious ambiance to the ground level and bathroom floors, while white mosaic tiles cover bathroom walls, adding some texture to the spaces. The altered roof allows light to pour through the attic space and to the mezzanine on the first floor. The master bedroom at the top of the house has been designed with a connection with the kids’ room below. This reiterates the concept of continuity between each space, not only horizontally through the house but vertically. Each bedroom has full height window shutters along one wall that are similar to the traditional exterior shutters, this creates a unity in the project and accentuates the concept of continuity and austerity.

A pleasant addition The rear steel spiral staircase leads up to a guest bedroom and a roof terrace. The BBQ pit could be used to entertain however it is also an ideal space for a quiet evening meal. The contrasting minimal approach taken on the rear façade complements the ornate decorative front façade. This approach emphasises the detail and craftsmanship of the existing façade. It created an overall unity in the project between the old and new elements. The austere composition of the rear façade is a contrasting solution however maintains the concept of unity and continuity, in creating a neutral residence. By night the roof of the rear stair way acts as a Beacon emitting a warm glow on the roof terrace. Unpretentious The overall scheme is an unpretentious solution to the growing constraints of working with conservation properties. It sensitively promotes attention to the historic façade. The new renovation is a responsive contrast to the original façade resulting in a functional house design that should appeal to any tenant in the future.

28westcoastgrovehouse

28westcoastgrovehouse Architects: Ong & Ong Pte Ltd Location: 28 West Coast Grove, Singapore Design Team: Diego Molina and Maria Arango. Camilo Pelaez. Project Year: 2009 Photographs: Derek Swalwell

This project was a renovation of a semi-detached house for an elderly Taiwanese couple. The approach was to create a modern scheme however, maintaining a connection to the clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s culture. Primary constraint was keeping the original position of the party wall which also ensured that the footprint of the scheme stayed unchanged. One of the clientâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s priorities within the new proposal was to ensure sufficient lighting in the new living spaces. An inno-

vative solution in order to detach the main elements of the first floor rooms from the party wall, allowed light to enter the living space from all sides of the house. Small glazed elements separate the external party wall from the structural walls of the first floor. These narrow openings allow light to illuminate the social activity spaces of the house. The vertical circulation of the property has become a light filled atrium. Before, the

ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perception was that the circulation space lacked light and needed to be changed. The design allows for an air well to run through the house which also accommodates several plants. This has become a striking feature of the property. In order for the plants to grow it was essential that sufficient light entered the atrium. Several skylights enable light to pour in through the house, creating well lit and wide circulation space.

Exploded Isometric View

he juxtaposition of the timber clad and the white finished walls allude to simplicity. The effect of combining these materials creates a comfortable and homelike feeling. The main entrance was moved from its original position so that functional space was created, following the theory of good feng shui. The koi pond acts as a focal point since it was a desire of the client to employ a large water feature. The pond being an infinity pool appears as if it floats which also emphasises the tranquil outdoor space. When the flexible doors are opened completely the living space connects to the backyard. Hence, the koi pond becomes part of the living space.

Floating steppingstones provide a subtle path, bridging the way from the living space to the garden. Cantilevered elements protrude from the front and rear of the house so that solar shading is provided. This generates a sheltered front parking space and a rear porch for contemplation of the koi pond.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The flexibility of the first floor promotes open plan living. â&#x20AC;? The service areas of the house are grouped into an entity, a timber box, separated from the rest of the ground floor. The kitchen area is put aside of the continuous flowing space of the first floor. This prevents cooking smells from travelling through the house. It also divides the laundry and maidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s area

from the main section of the house. The kitchen units are bespoke to the clients needs. The clean design meets the requirements specified by the client. Bedrooms within the house have been subtlety altered by introducing additional ceiling height. This creates a more spacious feel in each room. A main desire of the client was to concentrate on the master bedroom. The master bedroom includes a spacious bathroom and a large balcony. The balcony provides the couple with a private space where they can relax and contemplate. The balcony joins with the reflective pond garden that runs along this side of the house. It has a direct relationship with the inside and outside however, still enclosed enough to provide shelter from the rain.

The bathroom space is opened to outside however not exposed. It creates different environments within the house and reduces the need of air conditioning. The reflective pond garden is populated with dens plants which provide privacy for the

residence. The bathtub is on its own slab making it appear as a floating island over the reflective pond. The combination of the outside and inside space and the direct relationship to the reflective pond garden alludes to a Balinese type of architecture.

Flexible walls were employed to promote cross ventilation within the house. When the house is opened it becomes naturally ventilated, reducing the need for air conditioning. This helps contribute to the sustainability of the house.

Architects: Ong & Ong Pte Ltd Location: 72 Cove Drive, Sentosa, Singapore. Design Team: Diego Molina and Maria Arango. Camilo Pelaez. Project Team: Diego Molina and Maria Arango. Camilo Pelaez. Ryan Manuel. Linda Qing Site Area: 706 m2 House Area: 560.37 m2 Project Year: 2009 Photographs: Derek Swalwell

he design of the house was figured as a building that adapts to the climatological conditions of the surroundings as well as to the specific natural resources available in the area ( sun, light, wind, rain, topogra-

phy) with the purpose of reducing the environmental impact of the traditional preconceived home. The client wished to maximize the buildable area of the house and at the same time achieve the most privacy possible for the design, taking into consideration that this plot is located

between neighboring houses. For this reason, the house is conceived as a mass container that faces towards its interior, around a central courtyard that behaves as an inter-connector, and functions at the same time, as a circulation pivot, a light well, a ventilation exhaust and a visual landscape focal point.

Location The house is located in Sentosa Island, Singapore. Tropical Humid Climate, with a grand view to the ocean on the roof terrace and panoramic view to the vast vegetation of the the golf fields at the rear of the plot. Main volume The predominant lines of the building are clean and subtle. Its intended to achieve a very simple modern language that can be able to bond and coexist with the natural surroundings. The building is composed by four principal elements: Basement ( hidden underground) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ground level

volume ( aluminum cladding) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; second level (stone and timber cladding) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; roof terrace ( pitch roofs and light openings) Zoning & House Program At ground level the social areas are located: Covered car-park, main access, foyer, dry kitchen, dinning area, living area, powder room, guest bedroom, yoga and training room, lap pool, jacuzzi, boundary gardens and central courtyard. At the basement the service areas are located: Laundry area, service bedrooms, machine rooms, pantry, bomb shelter and storage room. At second level the private

areas are located: master bedroom, master walk-in wardrobe, master bathroom, two kids bedroom with en-suit bathrooms, home office, television room and reading room. At the roof terrace a second entertainment area is located: a timber deck for sun bathing and the admiring the ocean view and BBQ area for outdoor entertaining. However, the four elements that compose the house, inter-connect among each other, through a central courtyard that allows ans generate multiple relationships within the surrounding spaces.

Exploded Isometric View

Inhabitants This home is designed for a family composed by a couple and two young kids, the service personnel and eventually one or two guests. Furthermore, this project was thought strategically around the sport training activities that the house couple practice daily: swimming, cycling ans running. The principal spaces related to these activities, like the lap pool, training room for static cycling and treadmill, and ground storey shower are directly related to facilitate the every day sports dynamics. For this same reason, the building is equipped with biometric reading systems to access the diverse spaces.

ustainable Character Natural lighting and orientation. In order to benefit substantially from the natural sun lighting, the north and south facades are opened as much as possible with grand full height windows and balconies, while at the east and west facades, smaller and slimmer recessed openings with cantilevered projections are made to control the morning and afternoon direct heat strike. The pitched roof is designed as a series of repeating slopes that generate skylight openings which bring brighter luminance quality into the principal permanence spaces. Natural crossed ventilation and thermal insulation. Crossed ventilation strategy is applied all over the building to guarantee the predominant wind proper circulation to naturally cool the spaces and accomplish energy consumption reduction and at the same time increase its thermal comfort conditions. Sets of pivoting vertical timber louvers and sliding timber panels skirt the main glazed facades, in order to protect and gradu-

ate the natural light entrance and wind current flow. This second timber layer becomes a second skin that wraps the front and rear facades to avoid direct solar radiation on the glazed elevations. Low-impact environmental materials. Environmentally friendly materials with sustainable properties are used in this project. Timber floorings are 100% natural grown teak wood with no additives or harmful compounds. On the predominant volumes, dense natural stone cladding is applied to increase the thickness of the facade section to delay thermal fluctuations and heat transference. Landscape and natural vegetation. Mature native species are incorporated to the new building surroundings. This species ensure steadiness to the ground soil, taking into consideration that the basement works generate a major balance offset on the terrain. On the other hand, varieties of dense foliage species are chosen to create a more private atmosphere.

Architects: Ong & Ong Pte Ltd Location: 45 Faber Park, Singapore. Design Team: Diego Molina and Maria Arango. Camilo Pelaez. Project Team: Diego Molina and Maria Arango. Camilo Pelaez. Ryan Manuel. Linda Qing Site Area: 840 m2 House Area: 592 m2 Project Year: 2009 Photographs: Derek Swalwell The clients for this Project were a couple with three young children, a set of twins and a younger child. Their main concern was to maximise outdoor space. It was therefore essential that there would be sufficient space for the children to play outdoors as well as indoors. The priority of creating an open living space with a direct relationship to a large outdoor space became a driving force in the scheme.

mize space, the idea of pushing the mass of the building into the corner of the plot was developed. The concept of defining the bedroom areas and activity spaces as separate elements allowed for the final scheme to be reached. From the exterior, each element appears as a separate entity, however internally these have a strong connection to each other.

The overall concept, derived from the clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; requirements, was to create a living space open to the outdoors in a clean contemporary aesthetic. The building would need to allow fluid movement between each space within and perform as a sustainable mechanism. In order to maxi-

The residence is separated into three main elements. The top element of the house, representing a more private area, is cantilevered over the driveway. The cantilever gives the entrance to the house an enclosed, protected feel. The material used here was an alloy of titanium and zinc

An inviting entrance

which gives this rectangular volume a dark matt finish. The external materials, chosen in subtle tones, define and reflect the more intimate space of the house. The arrangement of spaces on the second floor is a functional response to the needs of the inhabitants. In response to this, the spaces created were introspective and focused on privacy. In order to create pleasant sleeping areas the height of the ceilings was set lower compared to the ceilings in the social areas. Leading from the quiet family room upstairs is a green roof which provides additional outdoor space. It is equipped with a BBQ pit that overlooks the pool beneath. This space represents an ideal entertaining area or a contemplation garden.

Fluid Continuity All social activity areas of the house are accommodated on the first floor. There is clear connectivity between all main social areas of the house. The sliding, flexible doors open directly onto the lower garden. When slid back into the walls, the garden space is made one with the social space. The continuity of the house is fluid and works

well with the externally used material of travertine. The large glazed plane, exposing the space, emphasizes the clear contrast between the private and social area of the house. Composition of materials suggest diversity of space The composition of white walls, in-situ concrete and teak flooring suggest diversity within space â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the way

an open plan residence should be. The social space opens to the lower garden while connecting to it. Similar to this, fluid connectivity between spaces in the family rooms upstairs is accomplished by glazed doors which can be slid back and hidden. Upon entering the building the unbroken terrazzo flooring emphasizes the continuity of spaces on this first floor.

Night View from the Pool Area

When entering the house ones attention is immediately drawn to the sculptural staircase. Its organic form contrasts the rigidity of the two main elements of the house. The staircase acts as the hinge pinning the two perpendicular main elements of the house together. It is the

Master Bathroom

anchor point of the house which is also the vertical circulation. However, the house was designed considering children running up and down and through the house so that the sculptural design of stairs was meant to articulate the intended movement through the space.

An unexpected ambient recreational space The terrain of the site has worked advantageously for the scheme. A slight gradient toward the rear gives space for a void. This void allows light to penetrate the basement space.

Exploded Isometric View

he basement space represents the third element of the house. However, unlike the other elements it is unable to use an external architectural language to reflect the activities taking place within. The preconception of a basement is that it is generally not used as social space but rather as or only as storage. As for this house, a move away from this preconception was achieved. This well lit, diverse recreational space is another key feature of the house. The basement is naturally lit from both sides. One of the light sources is the void garden, the other a window which looks into the swimming pool. This window is the same width of the pool and creates a perfect ambiance in this lounge space which is equipped with a bar and a pool table. Furthermore, a naturally lit study and cinema room are accommodated in the basement. The basement space is vertically connected to the social spaces of the house. It is just an extension to the social space and is intended to be used daily.

Environmental measures taken early on in the design promote a sustainable scheme. From beginning on the house was designed as a sustainable scheme. The orientation of the house was strategically positioned to allow the prevailing wind to cross ventilate the social spaces. The large opening throughout the house encourages natural ventilation within the house.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The priority of creating an open living space with a direct relationship to a large outdoor space became a driving force in the scheme.â&#x20AC;? Certain key materials were chosen to help manage the environment of the house. The high thermal mass qualities of in-situ concrete and Terrazzo help to cool the house. Also the natural teak used, has very small environmental implications. The teak is bought from a local source, minimising transport cost. Additionally, the wood was treated with a water-based

preservative harmless to the environment. Skylights are strategically placed to encourage natural ventilation. Three other skylights light the internal stairway to the basement and ensure all parts of the house are well lit. The windows of the upper private area were recessed in. This provides solar shading, reducing the solar gain received by the windows. By employing this method of solar shading the solar gain can be reduced by up to 40%. Each sustainable measure reduces the need of non-renewable energy resources to cool or to light the house. Certain native plants were chosen to provide outdoor shading along the pool area and also provide the plot with additional privacy. The native species help put the scheme in context â&#x20AC;&#x201C; soil disruption is kept at a minimum. Overall the scheme is an expressive piece of architecture responding to the needs of a young family. With constraints of limited green space in Singapore, this design finds a solution which optimises inside and outdoor space while emphasizing the relationship between the two.