Architecture

harmony between social and private spaces in design – Casa 15 by AM-arqstudio

harmony between social and private spaces Casa 15 AM Arqstudio 036
harmony between social and private spaces in design – Casa 15 by AM-arqstudio it has been modified: 2023-02-25 di Benedetto Fiori

The project focuses on the harmony between social and private spaces, the use of natural and artificial light to create welcoming environments and the choice of high quality materials that reflect the modern and minimalist aesthetics of the building.

When you first meet a client, you start traveling through spaces that haven't been built yet. Even before the client understands what the goals of the project are, the distinct spaces begin to be delineated, sometimes in a word, other times as a perception of how a material feels to the touch, and in other cases, how light makes you feel . Each project is a unique relationship between intentions and desires translated into what is expected to be comfort, pleasure and relaxing feeling for the inhabitants of the house.

The couple who own the house had a clear intention regarding the social atmosphere. For them, everyone needed to be visible and part of the family, whether they were cooking, reading or working from home. On the other hand, they wanted to be comfortable at night without feeling uneasy from outside shadows and movement. The normal division between social and private spaces has become clearer than usual, thanks to these limitations.

This was the narration that began to build the mental journey by uniting all the internal spaces. When arriving at the door, guests still don't understand how the interior spaces were created, as the volumes don't allow you to look inside, so you'll have to find your way inside. Once the main door has been opened and the threshold has been crossed, one enters the gray atrium, waiting for what will be seen next. The first rays of natural light are an invitation to stay. Subsequent steps reveal a high ceiling, connecting the upper floor via suspended stairs using the same wood seen on the exterior of the house, and all social and work environments, including the external garden area.

The fluidity of people across the spaces, both horizontally and vertically, is connected by virtue of this central space, where the wood of the ceiling becomes the floor of the upper level. This interplay between continuity and transition allows natural light to disperse across horizontal planes, both floor and ceiling, converging in a gradient between social and leisure spaces and rest spaces.

Natural light is an element that greatly influences the experience of an environment. When designing a home, the use of materials and the layout of spaces can create an experience of light that guides the inhabitants through the day. This is the case of a house that we explore in this article, where natural light has been used creatively to create a unique living experience.

The first moment of the day is breakfast, where natural light floods the kitchen and the wooden balcony. The second moment reflects the light that points towards the dining space, where indoors and outdoors can connect in an extended semi-outdoor space. Here, both the ceiling and the floor work to mask the boundaries of the spaces during the hottest days. After that, the sun begins to go down, until it touches the wooden furniture of the bookcase, giving it a warm and comfortable feeling, and inviting the transition from the home office to the living room. Since this area is the last to receive natural light, it signals that the daily cycle has ended.

During the day, natural light reflects and guides the inhabitants towards the most comfortable areas of the house, while during the night, artificial light is positioned in strategic places to prolong the sensation of warmth. Confidence and security are achieved with light reflecting off the wood, making the entire first level a light box that invites exploration.

As the family moves from social to private areas, the main aim has been to create a more fluid use between a continuous space, such as the first floor with the light flowing continuously during the day, and a more peaceful place where the inhabitants they rest. To achieve this, the walls and doors in the hallway have a dark concrete finish interrupted only by a window that lets in light. The rooms on the west facade are warmer, as they have received the last hours of the sun, intensified by the warm sensation of the wood. There is a floor continuity that extends into a balcony protected by thin wooden columns that filter the view from outside, allowing users to see outside.

The master bedroom has a direct connection to the vertical conservatory, which reflects light from the lower floor to the first level and vice versa. If there is moonlight, it will enter through this glass and flood the room, illuminating it. A larger window is placed in the corner of the bedroom, creating a particularly interesting moment when the natural rays become almost parallel to the ceiling and floor, moving the wall from gray to almost perfect white.

This interplay between darker surfaces and smaller openings makes the upper level spaces feel calmer and safer, without creating the feeling of a small space. Even when relaxing, the inhabitants can connect with the outdoors as they wish, walking outside to enjoy the warm wood on the private balcony or letting the moonlight flood the sheets through the vertical opening.

For the realization of this project, various products were used such as Microcemento by Cimentart, fiber cement panels by Equitone Tectiva, the concrete facade by Tectiva, LunaWood and Thermowood by Banema, Egger Dark Gray Chicago melamine, the decorations in , Profiltek shower enclosures, Divitek waterproofing system and Sapa Caixilharia aluminum windows and doors. Thanks to these high quality materials, it has been possible to create a welcoming and comfortable environment, where the inhabitants can enjoy the natural light and warm wood, creating a real oasis of relaxation and serenity inside their own home.

project info

Project name: Casa 15
Architecture Office: AM-arqstudio
Main Architect: Andre Malheiro
Website: https://am-arqstudio.com/en/
Email: andremalheiro@am-arqstudio.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Am-arqstudio-261612724746137/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/am_arqstudio/
Location: Braga – Portugal
Year of conclusion: 2021
total area: 350m2
Builder: Breathing Art
Engineering: Eduardo Oliveira
Interiors Team: AM-arqstudio

Architectural photographer: Ivo Tavares Studio
Website: www.ivotavares.net
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ivotavaresstudio
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ivotavaresstudio

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