Arthur Casas placed his own House in Iporanga deep in the Atlantic forest, the ideal Brazilian landscape for himself. This allowed the architect to have the ultimate expression of his relationship to the surrounding world through the blank canvas he was able to create a home from in the forest.
Two symmetrical rectangular cubes face one another on the north and south sides of the area. They are connected by two retractable 36 foot-high glass walls which frame the main living and dining areas of the house. The exterior of the house is paneled in Cumaru wood which blends into the surrounding landscape. The Cumaru wood is also used inside as flooring. This contrasts against the stark white walls. The white used in the walls is the only “color” seen in the minimalist space.
Casas divided the ground floor into distinct public and private areas. The entire space is connected by the vast living room flanked by wood terraces on both ends. There is a floating Cumaru stairway leading to the first level. A narrow bridge crosses over the middle of the living room and leads into the north side of the space.
The main objective of Casas’s design was to provide an escape into the Brazilian forest for himself. He has accomplished the creation of a personal retreat, a place where he is able to relax and recharge, through his own personal design decisions.
Even though Casa’s designed a personal escape for himself would you find yourself feeling just as relaxed and comfortable within the space? Do the modern, sleek design elements (i.e. the horizontal straight lines) contrast too much with the surrounding relaxed landscape? Would you feel too exposed and vulnerable with so much glass surrounding you in the space?
I feel that even though Arthur Casas designed the space for himself, I would be just as relaxed and comfortable within the space. I feel that the modern horizontal lines do contrast a little with the surrounding forest but not too much. The contrast is just enough to give the home a bit of difference from the forest. (Although I would have made the lines vertical to made the home blend in more with the forest.) Within this space it seems that the public areas are the most “exposed” with the glass from floor to ceiling, the private areas may not be as “exposed”. Either way I would not feel exposed or vulnerable because the home is in the middle of a forest, so there cant be too many people walking outside your home. So who is there to look in at you? I feel that the floor to ceiling glass makes the user of the home more in tuned with the beautiful forest landscape and brings a relaxing quality to the home.
ReplyDeleteYes, even though this space was designed specifically for Casa, his design would make me feel just as relaxed. Why, because of the use of natural elements, minimal color, and clean line. This makes for a calming, serin affect for an individual that experiences this space. There are no loud distrations or closed in spaces, there are open airy, light, spaces. Another aspect that helps with this is the large open windows on the north and south walls. They allow the outside to come in, creating an escape just as Casa had intended. No i think that the contrast of modern, sleekness against the organic surroundings contrast just enough, and not too much were this space would feel/look out of place. Everything is very cohesive. If this house were located anywhere else besides this what looks to be an excluded wooded area, i would most definitely feel exposed will all the glass used in making this space. But since it is placed in a heavily wooded excluded area i think that i would feel just fine, mostly because the surroundings help in obstructing straight on views into the space.
ReplyDeleteThe openeness, clean lineand light, and connection to nature presented in this home is ideal for my own idea of sanctuary. Arthur Casas' need for a strong connection to nature matches my own. A connection so strong that it is more of an immersion than a mere connection. This home facilitates that immersion in the fact that, psychologically, the only thing acting as a barrier between man and nature is the thick band of white surfaces within. But even this is perferated on both sides by the sight of nature. Therefore, this transaction is never broken. However, despite my love of nature and desire to be part of it, I feel that I would be uncomfortable at night having no form of screening. I beleive that "The woods" are a dynamic entity and that our perception of them can change at any given time (ex. nightfall). By adding moveable screening, the resident is given the option/opportunity to sufficiently adapt to their environment how they see fit, just as would be the case for any other animal in nature.
ReplyDeleteCasas has created an ideal retreat for not only himself but a space that could work for others. I disagree with Carrie in that the horizontal line give the space a sense of comfort, subconsciously creating a nook sensation. The space was designed to put a different light on a thick forest. To most people if would be intimidating, if Casas would have used vertical lines in the space he would have created another awe inspired space that even more emphasis the scary forest. By having a vertical line emphasis he was able to cast a different light on the forest by virtually breaking the forest up into sections, layers which helps the user to have that same natural experience just one with less intensity. For me the Large glass widows wouldn't bother me at night, simply because I have woods that surround my house now, we have a lot of large windows that look out into the woods at night. Because im use to that I think the windows would be actually comforting for me. With that being said i can see how others would be a little over whelmed once it gets dark, some sort of shade or blinds would probably be a good idea.
ReplyDeleteI do not see how anyone would not feel relaxed and comfortable in this space. The use of natural materials that connect with nature make you feel as if you are outdoors with all the modern convinces of being indoors. It almost looks as if it is a spa resort where you can go and simply get away from the pressures and stresses of life even if just for a moment. The horizontal straight lines do not contrast too much with the surrounding landscape. They do contrast against the curvilinear forms of the foliage and wildlife but it is a nice contrast that almost frames the outdoors like a picture. I believe the use of modern and sleek elements was a very good decision. It really makes the colorful outdoors pop against the neutral interior. I would not feel terribly exposed or vulnerable in this space. I am a very open and outgoing person who does not like to be confined in little closed off rooms. And in this particular instance there is thick foliage surrounding the entire house that acts as curtains on their own. The incorporation of some sort of blinds or shades on the front of the house might be necessary simply because there might be a road there and people could potentially get an eye full. Also like taylor said i do not like to look out my windows at night and not be able to see anything. During the day i would be fine with the open windows but at night i do not know if i would like to stay in that house by myself!
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