Tuesday, 29 March 2011

Part 2: Analysis

As a result of the initial research, I have decided to further explore the design of Alvaro Liete Size Alto; Casa Tolo.


CASA TOLO: A house as a step

Architects: Alvaro Leite Siza
Location: Vila Real, Portugal
Site Area: 1000 sqm
Constructed Area: 180 sqm
Project Start: 2000
Project Complete: 2005

House as an Environmental Filter
The two restraints Alvaro dealt with in designing this house were the budget that was issued to him by his cousin and the challenges of the site itself. With a minimal budget of $150,000 US (design boom) and a very steep narrow site (33 degree incline) the architect was forced to to be highly resourceful with his design. These restraints however, were turned into opportunities (CC+A) and forced the design into a unique relationship with the environment.
 A rock appearing amongst nature
Alvaro described the stepped design as “practically inevitable” (Pearson) to both save money during construction and to reduce heating and cooling costs. Although the site receives frontal exposure from the sun, it receives insulation from the earth on three façades. Insulation on the exposed side is supported by an extra layer of 1 meter square pre-cast concrete slabs on most exposed roofs, some being covered in small stones or laid with grass.
The impact of the structure on the site itself was also taken into account, as attempts to preserve all pre-existing trees were made. Alvaro also took into account the aesthetic of the structure’s exterior, by implementing the use of simple concrete he hoped to provoke the imagery of stones appearing amongst nature (CCA). Furthermore the house tries to connect with the surrounding environment by acting as a connecting route between the pre-existing foot path and road, located at the bottom and top of the site.

House as a Container of Human Activity
Alvaro was commissioned by his cousin to design this house as a vacation home for himself, his wife, and their two children. With the aforementioned restraints of economic means, Alvaro used the steep slope to create a series of private and public spaces that tumbles down the hill. As such, the special relationship between each space is defined by the narrow stair that runs down the length of the structure with each major function allocated to one of the four levels. This narrow stair is mirrored by an exterior path that runs the length of the roof with access to the indoors via the roof of the consequent structure below. When speaking about these traits Alvaro explained “the terrain’s instability together with modest economic resources gave rise to a house with triple function: the home itself and its interior space; the organization of outdoor leveled patios corresponding to the roofs of various levels which permit the outdoor use of the garden; and finally, the creation of a pedestrian link between the paths of the upper and lower levels that border this lot” (Saieh).
The flow of activity is also quite unconventional, with the entrance being located at the top of the building. The roof of the office acts as a car port and one descends into the house through a narrow stair case. One then proceeds through the office before making their way slowly down into the kitchen/living/dining and then down further on to each of the bedroom levels.

 Dramatic Entrance

House as a Delightful Experience
The delight that the user finds in this structure is derived from two aspects: the harmonious design that is so perfectly arranged for the site and moves very fluid, and the way in which the house unfolds its mystery to the user as they keep moving further through the house.
"Playing games with the stair"

The element of mystery is essentially a result of the narrow stair that functions as the main thoroughfare. Alvaro explains this saying he was very influenced by the Escher and Piranesi drawings that he loved as a child when designing this house and he wanted to “make games of the stairs”(CCA). Other elements that support this are the entrance, a dark narrow stair opening from the ground submerges you into the house without revealing anything until  one is securely indoors (Pearson). This is also evident in the use of lighting in the house, particularly in the living room where the light source is obscured also giving the space a “touch of mystery”. The harmonious design is a sum of the previously mentioned aspects and how the work together to fulfill the functions of a home that make it feel like the inevitable solution to the constraints of the site and requirements of the user.


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