MONTE S. ALTAS

The insertion of a perfect square figure into the site is adapted to the terrain’s uneven topography. Of crucial importance was to preserve the existing trees and to maintain the expansive views towards near and distant landscapes. This ensuing architectural act of enclosure and liberation of spaces and views creates a house characterized by diverse territorial and spatial tensions. Within the house’s quasi-square footprint, several parallel and habitable volumes are positioned.

These frame the area’s border. The whole house is thus set up as a fragmented sequence of solids and voids, of man-made and natural elements, of matter and views, of shadow and light. As a result, within the house a new hierarchy between landscape and living areas is formed; in-between the solid volumes the earth emerges and the landscape changes. These in-between areas are small natural gardens, traversing the entire house.