Steven Holl
House Black Swan Theory
Princeton Architectural Press New York
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House: Black Swan Theory
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The Swiss Residence 23,000 ft2 2001–2006 Stretto House 7500 ft2 1989–1991 Writing With Light House 5500 ft2 2001–2004 Oceanic Retreat 5400 ft2 2001 Porosity House 5400 ft2 2005– Sun Slice House 3800 ft2 2005– Y House 3500 ft2 1997–1999 Planar House 3320 ft2 2002–2005 House at Martha’s Vineyard 2800 ft2 1984–1988 Implosion Villa 1830 ft2 1992 Little Tesseract 1500 ft2 2001 Nail Collector’s House 1200 ft2 2001–2004 Turbulence House 900 ft2 2001–2004 Tower of Silence 512 ft2 1992 Round Lake Hut 80 ft2 2001
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Deceleration: A Collapse of Plastic Space by Michael Bell Project Credits Bibliography of Published Writings and Monographs Acknowledgements Image Credits
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House: Black Swan Theory
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The Swiss Residence
This scheme placed first in the competition of ten Swiss-American teams’ designs for the replacement of the Washington, D.C., residence of the Swiss Ambassador. It is not only a private house but also a cultural gathering place on which the standards and self-image of a country are measured. Sited on a hill with a direct view through the trees to the Washington Monument in the distance, a diagonal line of overlapping spaces drawn through a cruciform courtyard plan was the conceptual starting point. Official arrival spaces and ceremony spaces are connected along this diagonal line on the first level, while private living functions are on the level above. Materials are charcoal-colored concrete trimmed in local slate and sandblasted structural glass planks. Constructed according to Swiss “Minergie Standard,” the south facades use passive solar energy. The roof is sedum green. The existing natural landscape is clarified with new trees, while the plateau of the residence defines an arrival square, a reception courtyard, and an herb garden in an urban precinct.
Site plan
100' ft m
opposite Entrance court right View of Washington Monument
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top Charcoal-stained concrete and white grass: a memory of the ice and snow against rock in the Swiss Alps bottom Model opposite A lake-like pool within the courtyard
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The Swiss Residence
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right Diagonal cuts through overlapping orthogonal spaces opposite, top Main entry hall opposite, bottom Stairway to ambas sador’s private space and guest rooms
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The Swiss Residence
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Second-floor plan
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1 Main entrance hall 2 Dining and recreation 3 Service 4 Herb garden 5 Reception terrace 6 Reflecting pool 7 Caretaker house 8 Private quarter 9 Guests 10 Staff
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First-floor plan
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above Green sedum roof right View of entry from living level opposite Reflecting pond
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