The project is a 400㎡ beach house in Aranya, China. While we were asked by the client to redesign a new house to fit its wonderful setting, we reclaimed and altered the previous on-site structure to add a shorter wing on the south side to allow an open-plan for more living spaces. In a sustainable way, we re-create a new spatial experience that flows "through" the building, which engages people with the surrounding of this prime site as one moves through the house.
 
Our architectural intent was to create a series of dynamic spaces that could work for multiple gathering niches and more communal spaces for entertaining. As one wandering into the House from the entrance, diffuse light streams in from all sides through the building, as well as the airflow. While the ground floor been fully open-planned throughout with semi-outdoor vestibule, kitchen, dining and library, the concept of the house also makes it easy to navigate between the 2 levels.
 
Its north façade is reconfigured with two volumes interlocking together: a thickened white T-shape cast-in-concrete wall sitting on a dark layered schist rock plinth. This solid “T” armour of the north façade shelters the building from cold winter northern winds, while at the same time its undulating surfaces and punched in and out openings provide the community with a vivid expression.
 
Majority of the building materials were locally sourced, particularly the rock strips for the plinth extending from exterior into the interior. We also adapted many local craftsmanship from terrazzo flooring to pebble mosaic. The most advanced was the undulating wood grain molded cast-in-concrete on the façade.
 
Ultimately the House T is intended to provide a myriad of atmospheres defined by the spectrum of natural environment and communal life which characterizes the entire setting of the site.