Zibu House

Lorena Darquea

• Architects

Casa Zibu, an evocative name that unfolds with majesty in its architecture, invites us to explore a space where design becomes a visual and sensory symphony. At the heart of this abode, central axes in the upper and lower levels become the guiding thread that beckons us to explore every corner of the house.

photo_credit Lorena Darquea — Lorena Darquea

These central axes are framed by black steel columns, which not only provide structural support but also meet in a dance of framing and highlighting key elements along their path. In the ground floor, the axis is subtly present, while in the upper floor, it takes center stage through a wooden bridge, adding warmth and tranquility to this level.

Despite occupying a relatively small plot of land, the house closes itself off in its facades to provide privacy and a feeling of shelter to its inhabitants. Upon entering, those who dwell within disconnect completely from the outside and immerse themselves in a fully immersive experience within. Through a retractable louver system with vertical wooden slats, residents can choose the level of connection to the surrounding context, or alternatively, opt for a more intimate environment if they so desire.

The volumetrics of the project are fragmented into four courtyards, two in the center of the house and two in the front and back. These courtyards, filled with vegetation and guayabillo trees, create pauses and breaths of light that illuminate the spaces with a symphony of light and shadows, generating a unique atmosphere as one explores the dwelling.

The program of the house is divided into two levels: the ground floor houses the social areas, while the upper floor accommodates the private areas. This symbolic division reflects the transition from the ordinary to the extraordinary, from the public to the private, inviting the inhabitants to find tranquility and peace in the most intimate spaces of the house.

From the moment one enters, the house awakens curiosity and awe. Cantilevered stone staircases welcome visitors and gradually reveal the different spaces, generating a sense of discovery.

The materiality of the house remains elegant and sober, where each element converses and complements one another. The exposed black-painted steel beams add a touch of contemporaneity and horizontal lines to the project, reinforced through grooves or joints in the concrete that provide continuity, while the presence of stone offers rough textures that invite touch and connect with nature.

The choice of pigmented yellow concrete adds a distinctive touch to the project's design. The presence of this color subtly, and aesthetically congruent, plays with light reflection, keeping the chosen spaces always illuminated.