Casa Carmen (the Project) is located in the “alto de las palmas” (loosely translated as “top of the palms”) neighborhood in the municipality of Envigado at an elevation of 2,550 m MSL with a view of the natural attributes of the city of Medellin. The high altitude of the location, subject to adverse climatic conditions in terms of temperature and wind demanded the Project adopt principles of architectural composition to improve the comfort and bioclimatic conditions of the house. As such, the structures were arranged in the shape of a horseshoein the center of the lot which reduces wind velocity and facilitates recirculation in one direction, permitting the use of the outdoorcommon area at any time of the day.
Casa Carmen protrudes from the mountain, requiring the need to make an impact with its surroundings by means of a habitable green roof, which extends throughout the Project and over all spaces of the house. The plan layout emphasizes generating a circuit of structuresthat are reached through a service road that runs along the south side of the lot and subtly circumvents the topography of the lot. The first structure contains the service area, main access and work study; the second structuremakes up the common area which, due to its transparency, presents different views of the terrain and ends with the bedrooms and the family room. Beneath this is a sublevel where some laundry room,spa zone, and a gym are located beneath the main bedroom. It is worth noting that part of the architectural concept is the continuous relationship of the spaces with nature. From the point of access, the aim was to generate a route that continues and flows through the family room until reaching the forest. The private spaces lead to the nearby nature reserve characterized by a dense stand of native trees and small natural stream that descends from the mountain.
From the design phase, the access was conceived as a transition area from the exterior to the interior thus, creating an invitation to continue and visit the project. The gardens that enter from the exterior and the continuity of it facilitated by the glass and natural light through the roof, is a reason to preserve the idea of an enveloping landscape, which enters the house and accompanies the architecture in different spaces. The arrangement of the spaces makes the Project stimulatethe senses and creates an invitation to explore from beginning to end.
Another aspect to take into consideration is that the house is surrounded by a network of natural trails which provide a continuous path throughout the project.
Wood, clay adobe, and concrete are proposed to achieve the beauty of their natural properties in thelong-term, taking into account that these materials stand the test of timeallowing one to witness the Project age and adaptto the landscape overgenerations. A house that complements the open but warm landscape despite being on a cold thermal floor and the contrasts of materials, influence the creation of a contemporary spacewith the natural air requested by the owners.
Material Used:
1. Facade – (Cumarúwood)
2. Concrete Ceilling
3. Glass sistem (POLYCRON LG BRONZE)
4. Roof Sistem (PVC GEOMEMBRANE SYSTEM + VEGETABLE LAYER
5. Lauffen, Living square
6. Antonio Lupi
7. Gessi
