Architecture

When the pool enters the house, a game of joints between inside and outside – Casa Diagonal – Frari – architecture network

Interlocking game between inside and outside Casa Diagonal Frari architecture network
When the pool enters the house, a game of joints between inside and outside – Casa Diagonal – Frari – architecture network it has been modified: 2023-03-03 di Benedetto Fiori

The house is spread over a limited space but thanks to its organization and a game of joints between inside and outside and a very direct relationship with the swimming pool, it manages to satisfy all the owner's requests in a pragmatic and effective way with respect to urban planning restrictions taxes.

Casa Diagonal is a villa located on the outskirts of the city of Aveiro and is part of a consolidated residential area but with a low occupancy density. The project was created by the Frari architecture office – architecture network. The house is made up of different volumes that form a single non-homogeneous body. This structure has only two floors above ground without a basement. On the ground floor are the common areas: an entrance hall, a kitchen with dining room, a living room and a bathroom, as well as the technical areas: a double garage, a technical room and a laundry room. The private spaces are located on the first floor: two bedrooms served by a common corridor with wardrobe, study area and a bathroom, as well as a suite with walk-in wardrobe and private bathroom.

Formally, the architectural structure is limited by the alignments imposed by the regulatory plan in which it is inserted and which delimits its external limits. The volume resulting from these alignments is subsequently developed through a cut with a diagonal direction. This allows the volume to be vertically separated in two, with facades of different widths, to ensure the desired programmatic distribution. The separation by floors, and the subsequent elimination of the upper western volume, results in a three-volume form, as a result of successive sections to the initial volume.

Each volume is treated as a "box" with a uniform perimeter and long open sides. These long, open sides form the front and rear facades, to the north and south respectively. The volumes allow for different experiences inside and different relationships with the outside, in which everyone is oriented. This ensures the diversity of desired experiences (internal/external) at the expense of small lot size. One of the volumes, on the ground floor, extends towards the street, guaranteeing a frontal alignment with the other houses in the subdivision in which Casa Diagonal is inserted. This also allows for the withdrawal of that volume to the rear facade, allowing the pool to approach the facade of the building, thus ensuring a direct relationship between them. At this point, you can jump from the house to the pool or simply enjoy the light effects that the reflection of the water gives to the upper console.

The chromatic play of black and white makes it possible to define the exception of this volume, which becomes dark gray in contrast with the other two. In terms of exterior finishes, the house is surrounded by landscaped green spaces, with the exception of a ceramic-paved area in the rear courtyard, which allows for the transition from using the dining room to outdoors. This area is protected by a pergola which guarantees the right amount of shade for this space. The pergola is designed as a continuation of the adjacent volume, as if it had fragmented into minimal and stylized pieces that form the structural beam.

In summary, this house is the result of a pragmatic game, in which the intention of internal and external spatial organization commands the formal definition of the whole, ensuring that Casa Diagonal is equipped with all the characteristics required by the Client, effectively regarding the urban restrictions imposed. The architecture of the Casa Diagonal is certainly a demonstration of the work carried out by the Frari studio – architecture network, which has been able to skilfully blend functionality, aesthetics and the relationship with the surrounding environment.

project info

Project name: Diagonal House / Diagonal House 
Architecture Office: Frari – network architecture 
Main Architect: Maria Joao Fradinho 
Website: www.frari.pt 
Email: info@frari.pt 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Frari.architecture.network 
Instagram: www.instagram.com/Frari.architecture.network 
Location: Aveiro, Portugal 
Year of conclusion: 2020 
total area: 275 m2 
Architectural photographer: Ivo Tavares Studio 
Website : www.ivotavares.net 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ivotavaresstudio 
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ivotavaresstudio

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