brick architecture

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christian kerez's house okamura unfolds as a cluster of circular brick volumes in czechia
CategoriesArchitecture

christian kerez’s house okamura unfolds as circular brick columns in czechia

By Zarkon Group,
christian kerez's house okamura unfolds as a cluster of circular brick volumes in czechia

insnde the all-brick house okamura by christian kerez in prague

 

In Prague 6, within close proximity to Villa Müller by Adolf Loos, architect Christian Kerez completes House Okamura as a clear example of a very traditional, almost archaic method of constructing brick ‘circles’. The project, designed as an aggregate of column-like volumes, hosts three apartments with 39 rooms, combined. Kerez omitted dividing walls from the interior layout, making the outline of every single space visible from the outside. More so, thanks to their unique configuration, the apartments shift positions from floor to floor so that rooms in the vertical shafts belong to different owners. The rooms vary from 4 sqm to 18 sqm in size and 2.35 meters to 4.9 meters in height, with an additional 19 spaces in between the circular rooms, making it a total of 58 rooms.

christian kerez's house okamura unfolds as a cluster of circular brick volumes in czechia
all images © Maxime Delvaux

 

 

circular rooms with varying sizes, openings, and layouts

 

All spaces within one apartment of House Okamura are open to each other, with areas varying between 90 sqm and 110 sqm. As Christian Kerez (see more here) explains, the different sizes of the overlapping circular rooms create unpredictable changes in the direction of these openings. The latter seem to be randomly positioned and create a labyrinth-like movement. ‘It is a space that opens in on itself, generating an impression of expansion within actually limited boundaries, as intended by the rigorous geometrical arrangement. The layout of the circular rooms changes from one level to another,’ continues the Czechian architect. 

christian kerez's house okamura unfolds as a cluster of circular brick volumes in czechia
House Okamura in Prague 6

 

Meanwhile, the elevator, storage, and sanitary area are all tucked between the circular rooms of House Okamura. These intermediate spaces, which can be entirely closed off with doors, are minimal, fragmented, and convex, as opposed to the open, perfectly concave main zones. Concluding his thoughts, Christian Kerez highlights how the spatial concept of autonomous rooms aggregated to a sequence of spaces feels radical and new while the whole project resorts to traditional brick construction, which is easier to build on site than orthogonal spaces.

christian kerez's house okamura unfolds as a cluster of circular brick volumes in czechia
the project reveals a cluser of brick circles

christian kerez's house okamura unfolds as a cluster of circular brick volumes in czechia
the interiors host three apartments, with 39 rooms in total

christian kerez's house okamura unfolds as a cluster of circular brick volumes in czechia
circular living room with no dividing walls

christian kerez's house okamura unfolds as a cluster of circular brick volumes in czechia
the direction of openings constantly changes from room to room, and floor to floor

Reference

eme 157's domehome emerges from foliage-covered brick house in spain
CategoriesArchitecture

eme 157’s domehome emerges from foliage-covered brick house in spain

By Zarkon Group,
eme 157's domehome emerges from foliage-covered brick house in spain

EME 157 Studio’s DOMEHOME expands existing house in Aravaca

 

DOMEHOME project by EME 157 involves the expansion of a single-family home in Aravaca, Madrid, adding a new floor to accommodate an independent apartment for the family’s son. The renovation primarily focuses on transforming the previously unused terrace on the top floor into a habitable space. The design process begins with the consideration of the external appearance, emphasizing how to crown the existing brick house covered in vegetation. To maintain a balanced height without excessive increase, the design adopts a domed shape, allowing for increased internal height, spatial dignity, and reduced perception of height from the exterior.

 

The choice of cork for the new floor contributes to its distinctiveness, both in terms of materiality and insulation properties, contrasting with the solidity of the brick in the rest of the house. Zinc is employed for the vault, aligning with the overall design strategy. 

eme 157's domehome emerges from foliage-covered brick house in spain
all images by © Luis Asin

 

 

large circular skylight illuminates the house’s interior

 

The interior layout, driven by the desire to prioritize panoramic views, comprises 50 sqm on the ground floor housing the entrance, a bedroom, and a bathroom. The upper floor, spanning 130 sqm, is divided into private and public areas. The private zone features a bedroom and bathroom, while the public space integrates an open kitchen, dining room, and living room with expansive north-facing windows. A large circular skylight, originally illuminating the stairwell, floods the room with natural light.

 

Material simplicity characterizes the interior, with mortar floors, polished stainless steel for countertops and showers, and plywood and linoleum board for furniture. The design team at EME 157 experiments with the contrast between cold and warm materials. Exposed original concrete beams and pillars create a contrast with the new slender circular metal pillars painted in sky blue, seamlessly blending with the breathtaking views outside.

eme 157's domehome emerges from foliage-covered brick house in spain
EME 157 transforms a home in Aravaca, Madrid, adding a new floor for an independent apartment

eme 157's domehome emerges from foliage-covered brick house in spain
the architects crown the brick house with a distinctive domed shape covered in vegetation

eme 157's domehome emerges from foliage-covered brick house in spain
the renovation converts the previously unused top-floor terrace into a functional living space

eme 157's domehome emerges from foliage-covered brick house in spain
the domed design maintains a balanced height, offering increased internal space

Reference

casa attico atelier matteo arnone 2
CategoriesArchitecture

a brick tower rises from a concrete base inside matteo arnone’s caso attico

By Zarkon Group,
casa attico atelier matteo arnone 2

casa attico by atelier matteo arnone

 

In the north-east of Brazil, on the shore of São Miguel do Gostoso, Casa Attico emerges as one of the recent and characteristic projects of architecture and urban design studio Atelier Matteo Arnone. Made of brickwork and concrete, the residence takes on a unique, circular morphology and position, both influenced by the regional winds. Its concrete foundation reveals an exposed, almost labyrinthine layout with a brick core shaped like a tower that rises just enough from the dunes to capture scenic views of the Brazilian sea, becoming a reference point for the landscape. 

casa attico atelier matteo arnone 2
all images © Federico Cairoli

 

 

a sweeping morphology inspired by the movement of wind

 

Observing both sections and plans of Casa Attico, one understands Matteo Arnone’s willingness (see more here) to capture the natural ventilation coming from the east and drive it across every corner of the living spaces. On the ground floor, the house is shaped like a wind machine. From the east, the wind penetrates the patios and circulates geometrically according to the shape of the walls, breaking strength and aerating the four symmetric bedrooms. At the tower level, the wind rises in between the two layers of brickwork composing its wall structures. The central kitchen, positioned to overlook four patios, serves as the focal point of the ground floor. Its symmetrical placement creates the core of the house, connecting with the living spaces.

casa attico atelier matteo arnone 3
Casa Attico by Atelier Matteo Arnone rises amid dunes in Brazil

 

 

Matteo Arnone and his team mainain visual continuity between the kitchen and first floor of Casa Attico through a circular opening that leads to the living room and office area. ‘As one ascends, a sense of privacy intensifies, offering a feeling of seclusion amidst the expansive natural surroundings. This sensation culminates on the top floor, where a compact space provides a panoramic view of the landscape, allowing for quiet contemplation,’ concludes the architect. 

casa attico atelier matteo arnone 4
a circular morphology inspired by eastern winds

casa attico atelier matteo arnone 7
a brick tower rises from the core

casa attico atelier matteo arnone 5
cicular openings and layouts take over the design of Casa Attico

casa attico atelier matteo arnone 10

Reference