Massive concrete and glass cube frames this home

A massive concrete and glass exterior defines this house in a downtown residential neighbourhood. The client, who runs a company that uses flowers and greenery to design lifestyles, wanted to incorporate that concept into a residence that rethinks the home as both private and open to the public sphere.

The entrance, located next to a two-car piloti garage, leads to a weight-training gym.

GALLERY  

On the second floor, in addition to private spaces such as the bathroom, children’s room, and master bedroom, a library utilizes open space around the stairs as an area for family interaction.

A family room occupies the third floor, with a deep-covered balcony overlooking the street. One-way glass preserves privacy within this comfortable intermediary space filled with outdoor furniture and potted olive trees.

Other than the open chef’s kitchen, functional elements such as the storage areas, kitchen, elevator, bathroom, and stairwell are concentrated along walls running lengthwise through the house, resulting in a minimalistic tube-shaped space. Natural light and ventilation flow along the north-south axis. The rooftop, accessible through the top floor, has a garden with an outdoor kitchen, furniture, and pergola. Linking indoor and outdoor living spaces and enclosing them with greenery results in a serene atmosphere that is private while still offering attractive views.

Spaces like the gym, library, rooftop garden and chef’s kitchen are becoming essential in the work-from-home era, with comfortable living environments and intermediary areas linking interior and exterior increasingly in demand. Perhaps the most sought-after characteristic of future homes will be a joie-de-vivre spirit that allows residents to migrate freely between indoor and outdoor spaces.

Images by Masao Nishikawa via ArchDaily

Italian brand Casalgrande Padana has built a reputation as a prolific producer of ceramic and stoneware tiles, translating ...

As kitchens continue to evolve into multifunctional spaces, designers are increasingly seeking appliance solutions that support flexibility without ...

Designing bathrooms remains one of the most complex challenges in residential and commercial projects. Despite often being the smallest ...

Set within one of four newly completed mixed-use blocks known as The Cubes, this pared-back office for a ...

A new hospitality project known as the Hermit Resort has taken shape beside one of China’s significant archaeological ...