D4 house: the structure is the architecture.

The idea of home as such can no longer be that of tradition. Aspects once considered important now are less relevant, because it has been realized that life contained within the house is the most precious thing. The D4 house is conceived according to three main strategies that define its design criteria.

photo_credit JAG Studio
JAG Studio
photo_credit JAG Studio
JAG Studio

The place suggests how to build the architecture.
Beyond building a physical object, architecture builds places for living, creating a strong relation with the place in which is build. The relation between the construction and the environment it is fundamental in order to enhance the life inside the building. In this sense the project it conceived as a open box , able to intercept the distant landscape of the Andes mountain and the city of Loja located in thevalley at 2100msnm. The house is oriented to take also advantage of the solar incidence on both fronts.

photo_credit Holger Cuadrado
Holger Cuadrado
photo_credit Holger Cuadrado
Holger Cuadrado

The structure is the architecture 
The house is conceived as a structural abstract box, supported on four points that are disposed with a distance of 7.15m and flown of 4.70m. On one side the element of the house such as columns, ribbed slabs, diaphragms and handrail - beams are designed to work as counterweights for the flown, highlighting gravity as a universal resource of architecture.  At the same time, the transmission of loads to the ground on a minimum of supports, allows freeing the space, generating order and a wide interior space.

photo_credit JAG Studio
JAG Studio
photo_credit JAG Studio
JAG Studio

Space flexibility as an atribute
The idea of a strictly functional house is outdated. The project was designed as a spatial container capable of hosting different functions inside, incorporating two flexible sanitary cores that allow variations and adaptations for future spaces’ configurations. The external staircase is a key element of the project considering that it could be replicated on the upper floors in order to make independent the distribution of new uses on the others floor like offices, housing… -. The subsoil plant is a diaphanous space, which can accommodate several uses in contact with the soil.

photo_credit Holger Cuadrado
Holger Cuadrado
photo_credit Holger Cuadrado
Holger Cuadrado
photo_credit Edwin Hurtado + Holger Cuadrado
Edwin Hurtado + Holger Cuadrado
photo_credit Edwin Hurtado + Holger Cuadrado
Edwin Hurtado + Holger Cuadrado

Project credits

Co-author of the project
Photographers
Photographer
Calculation and structural design

Product spec sheet

Project data

Project Year
2021
Primary Building Material
Concrete
Glass
Building Area
595 m2
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