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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

Lego-like modular building bricks made from cork
CategoriesSustainable News

Lego-like modular building bricks made from cork

By Zarkon Group,
Lego-like modular building bricks made from cork

Spotted: With short-term renting, homeworking, and growing families: living is more dynamic now than it ever has been before. Although DIY (Do It Yourself) has been a fair solution to modern life so far, its time-consuming and inflexible nature lets it down. Noticing a gap in the market for a way to build structures at home with easy modularity and flexibility, a father and daughter decided to take matters into their own hands. And so, they founded Portugal-based Corkbrick to help to reinvent the spaces we live in. 

Inspired by Lego, Corkbrick is a real-size modular system with interlocking cork blocks, or brocks, that are the company’s trademark. There are seven of these brocks, two that are foundational, four that are directional, and one that is a filler to create dynamic furniture, furnishings, and structures. These eco-friendly, sturdy, heat-resistant, and soundproof blocks can be assembled and disassembled easily, without the need for tools, screws, or glue.

Video source Corkbrick

For the founders, cork was a natural choice for their product. It has a minimal impact on the environment because the harvesting of cork does not require the harming or cutting down of trees. Once the bark is extracted, a new layer of cork regrows, making it a renewable resource – and each cork tree typically lives more than 250 years. 

Corkbrick is a fully operational enterprise, providing solutions and products from home decor, workspace furniture, and even kid’s play. 

Springwise has previously spotted other architectural innovations that resemble Lego, from stackable homes to help solve the housing crisis to building bricks made from volcanic glass that don’t need mortar or insulation.

Written By: Georgia King

Reference