World Architecture Awards 10+5+X Submissions

CASA FELIZ- the threshold story, tropical lifestyle and a design subservient to nature.

“The strong willingness of standing on a threshold, the crossing of which would transcend you into a placate world”.
A strong need of a connection, change and unlearning (learning’s and experience of urban world) calls for a creation of such a threshold in the built form. A meandering driveway around dense cluster of existing trees inaugurates your connection with nature and ultimately reveals the front facade of the house. The unforeseeable scale of a 20 feet wide main steel entrance door set in a punctuated brick facade, redefines scale and acts as a divider between the outside and the inside world. It is this physical threshold that disconnects you from the mundane of the world and at the same time embarks placidness.
Passing through this portal one feels purged of their non-tangible baggage hence reinforcing the concept of a threshold.
Considering the offerings by the sheer location of the site, the coast, the weather, the dense landscape, the smell of greens, the pleasant visuals of perennial blooms became the perfect ingredients for a tropical lifestyle and a building approach which is cultural conscious and cohesive to the tropics.


The villa set in the quaint little coastal town of Alibaug to the south of Mumbai promises a perfect getaway. This 10,000 sq.ft contemporary house spreads itself on a 2acre site which is blessed by nature with dense flora and a small water body on its south east. Paying respect to the prevailing flora on site the master
plan takes birth by surrounding the house around the major cluster of trees and a squarish manicured courtyard then becomes the epicentre of the house. This courtyard hosting palms and mounds of green is held by two ‘L’ shaped building blocks. This court provides visuals to the surrounding public spaces and the circulation corridor on its periphery. These two blocks strike a very contrasting nature, one being solid and the other being permeable.

The material palette of the house has a monolithic character, the clay bricks bring in the required warmth and the use of metal elements brings in the sharpness and contemporary look. Larger than life artefacts and tectonic petrified wood centre table become some of the protagonist in the house.
The elevated swimming pool edged in dressed stone masonry is detached from the structure by a gravel deck giving it a vibe of a natural oasis.
The house concentrates on encompassing nature all around, hence blurring the boundaries of the inside outside experience.

Principal Architects - Shobhan Kothari, Anand Menon
Team - Dinesh Thakur, Hunny Panchal, Benson D'Souza

0. Background History of Site Location
When Lee Seong-gye, who founded the Chosun Dynasty, selected the capital site of Chosun Dynasty (1392), he adopted Jeong Do-jeon's 'Bukak Jusanseol' among the suggestions of Master Muhak and Jeon Do-jeon, and it became the center of Cosun and Seoul for 630 years since the founding of the nation. It is a land at the foot of Bukak Mountain that has maintained its reputation.

According to Korean Feng Shui thoery, this land was recognized as a land that promised “well-being and prosperity,” as it had the best topography and was stably surrounded by Bukak Mountain, the main mountain, Naksan Mountain to the left, Inwang mountain to the right, and Namsan Mountain to the south.
In other words, the city of Hanyang, the capital of Chosun, which was the old Seoul, was not created as an artificial axis, but was planned as an axis of a full of vitality based on the natural topography.

In other words, the north-south axis was established with the axis connecting Bugak Mountain and Namsan Mountain as the main axis, and Gyeongbokgung Palace was built at the foot of Bugak Mountain, the main mountain, and continuing till this day. It was a collective residential area of the royal families,noblemen and has established itself as the best location in the context of the natural environments and Feung Shui Theory which is dominant philosophy within the Four main Gates.


1. Threshold between the old & new
The architectural motif of ‘Gateway from the Fortress’ began with the desire to restore this area’s unique geographical characteristics, historical and cultural context, and forgotten beautiful natural terrain - layered rock walls, mountains, trees, valleys, and water flows.

This area is the point that connects the inside and outside of Jahamun Gate, and there have been many beautiful major scenic spots in this area since ancient times, and many writers and painters, including Gyeomjae Jeong Seon (1676-1759, a famous painter), wrote poems and painted paintings while admiring the beautiful scenery.

As times have changed and this landscape appearance has gradually disappeared in the process of modernization, the newly built buildings, the Gateway from the Fortress’ and open space are intended to serve as an opportunity space to recall and restore the beauty of the past and become a landmark that captures the unique value of the area.


2. An Invitation into Another World
Buaam, meaning ‘baby-carrying rock,’ is a rock that protrudes along the ridge toward Samcheong-dong from the top of the current Bukak Mountain (or Baekak Mountain).

Gyeomjae, who was a local resident, left behind many famous realistic paintings of Mt. Bukak,which was familiar to him, and Buaam, which has a unique appearance.
In particular, the paintings of Baekakbuaamdo and Baekansando , the rocks are viewed from the above sky, with formations that seem to flow in layers (celestiality), people who look at the world (earthly world) standing between pine trees and rocks , and disposing the space of the margin in betweens. It has such an unique composition.

'The Gateway from the Fortress' was designed using the natural topography of beautiful rock formations composed of layers that seem to flow between these valleys as an architectural motif, and landscape elements were placed in and around the water applied sunken garden to create a space similar to a valley rest area in the past.


3. OPEN SPACE where you can remember the traces of Cheonggyecheon Stream
The site of this plan is located near Baekundongcheon Stream, the origin of Cheonggyecheon Stream. Accordingly, in the underground level sunken garden, a new water garden was created to remember the atmosphere of the beautiful valleys of Cheongpung-gye and Baekun-dong Stream around Cheongun-dong. Therefore, it was intended to be a place where not only the people who use the building but also the many people who pass by this place can feel and confirm the emotions felt by their original ancestors through this area’s authentic natural beauty.


4. Reminiscence Node / Open Space for Stop By
The beautiful scenery of this area has been appreciated for a long time. The road to Jahamun Gate which was previously the main walking path, was a famous local attraction. In particular, the scenery of Bukhan Mountain outside Jahamun Gate, which opens onto the Pyeongchang-dong area, presented a fresh and breathtaking sight of escaping the secular world and moving into a new world.
Currently, this site is located at the three-way intersection where the road leading to Jahamun Tunnel , the road alongside the new building and the road to Gyeongbok Palace. This is a place of reminiscence (Reminiscence Node) that revives old memories of the area where the old road and the current road meet. So we hope that it will serve as an landmark of recovery in order to experience the newly interpreted natural atmosphere.


5. Design Intention and Motives
ㆍRestoration of the old nature and orthodox appearance of the Chosun Dynasty
- Mass composed of flowing layers
- Forming that builds Mass in accordance with the topography
- A space containing nature and people / Sunken Garden
- Layering of traditional tiles, stacking of natural slate stones

ㆍA space that contains the flow and gathering of water, wind, and people
- Terrace space, ‘Lu’ that mediates inside and outside
- Space under the eaves where wind flows
- A waterfall that flows water and a bowl that holds water

Location: 16-1, Cheongun-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Site Area: 903.10㎡
Bldg. Area: 1384.2㎡
Bldg. Coverage Ratio: 29.97%
Gross Floor Ratio: 61.31%
Bldg scope: B2, FL3
Structure: R.C
Exterior Finish: Exposed Concrete, Limestone Powder Plaster, Layering of traditional roof tiles
Architects: Yecheon Architects_Daniel Keunwoo Cheon
Construction: IDP Development & Construction

VISION
The property on which the house is located encompasses a picturesque hillside under a forest and along a stream near Ljubljana. The house is situated on a south-facing plateau. The location offers open views of the distant hills around Ljubljana.
The client wanted the house to be built of solid wood or logs. Natural, unprocessed materials were to be used as much as possible.

DESIGN
An older farm building stood on the site. The location of the existing house has proved to be good and the new house stands on the same site and retains its orientation.
Access to the house is via a winding path that follows the natural configuration of the terrain. The path reveals picturesque views of the house, which is sequentially shown from different angles, and of the landscape.
The starting point for the design concept of the new house is the trestle as a traditional representative of wooden construction in Slovenia.
Parallel free-standing walls of "kozolce" are placed on the site chosen for the construction. Volumes with a specific purpose are inserted between the walls. The volumes are covered with longitudinal gable roofs connecting the walls of the trestles. This unique approach creates a HOUSE OF BARNS.

SPIRIT OF SPACE
The wall panels are spaced differently to allow different levels of light transmission, different views, different levels of privacy. Where necessary, they are more widely spaced, e.g. on the south side, where the living and sleeping areas are located. On the north side, the dormers are recessed.
The most charming and unique feature of the house is the large 4m long sliding panels on the south side of the living area. The panels have spaced timber beams. The sliding panels offer openness and closure to the south façade. They allow for adaptation and scenography according to the needs depending on weather, privacy, possibility of transition from inside to outside.
The passage of light through the perforated wall on the front façades creates a play of shadows and light that has a calming effect on people. The light is ballooning through the space.

PROGRAMME
Five parallel volumes form an organic composition of the house. On the south side there is a living space that opens onto the three directions of the sky. On the north side are the sleeping quarters and the workshop. On the west side is the summer kitchen and the swimming pool. A terrace surrounds all the volumes on the south side.
The shifting of the volumes creates a variety of intermediate spaces - atriums, each with its own character and atmosphere. The intermediate spaces are the link between the interior and the exterior.

CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE
The walls on the north side of the house are made of solid, kneaded Alpine wood, free of chemicals, glues and are a Slovenian product and design. The southern part of the living volume structure is made of skeleton steel frames. Larch also hugs the interior of the house, sometimes in the form of logs, other times in the form of wooden shingles on the ceiling.

LANDSCAPE DESIGN
The landscape design supports the architectural design. The house is situated on a plateau - a terrace under the woods, with a path winding behind the house, which spills into the courtyard alongside the house. On the south side, a pier connects to the terrace and floats on the bank below the house.



CONSTRUCTION:
The architectural foundation relies on the robust AB foundation slab, ensuring structural stability. Metal frames and innovative IQ-Wood (solid wood dowel panels), form integral parts of the construction, blending aesthetics with strength. Wooden roofing enhances the design, marrying natural elements with contemporary construction principles.

VENTILATION AND HEATING:
Efficient ventilation and heating systems are seamlessly integrated. Underfloor heating provides consistent warmth, while air conditioning units ensure effective cooling. Underfloor convectors distribute ventilation, and a water-air heat pump minimizes energy consumption, prioritizing sustainability.

ELECTRICITY:
Smart electricity solutions optimize energy usage and functionality, promoting sustainability and user control.

FACADE:
The façade combines elegance with durability. Metal panels provide a modern aesthetic, complemented by timber beams for visual appeal and natural ventilation. Glass walls maximize natural light, blurring indoor-outdoor boundaries and fostering connection with the surroundings.

SHADING:
Dynamic shading elements offer adaptable solutions. Moving wooden panels and blinds provide customizable shading, enhancing the ambiance and functionality of the space.

Architects:
Superform: Marjan Poboljšaj, Anton Žižek, Špela Gliha
Landscape: Matej Kučina

● Genius Loci (spirit of a place)
This place (Seolcheon-myeon, Namhae-do) was left alone as a quiet and desolate place, and its beauty was discovered when Jaam Kim Gu came into exile during the reign of King Seongjong of the Chosun Dynasty.
He called this place Sinseon island (where taoist hermit lives) and praised it.

Hwajeonbyeolgok ( a poem written by Jaam Kim Gu)
An island of Taoist hermit , a point that is the end of the sky and the head of the earth

1. Serenity: The sky, clouds, and rising sun that greet you every morning.
2. The shape of the hill is said to be like a ridge (a dragon's backbone) along the mountain range behind it, and its head is rising from the water.
3. A hill where residents for a long time would greet the sun at the beginning of the year and make wishes (a seaside hill that they wished for in the sky)



● Composed of Korean architectural and traditional elements in a korean and local nature.
1. A space where wind, people, and relationships flows and communicates (The flow Space of Liquidity and naturality)
2. Space under the eaves (piloti space)
3. Korean characteristic . Korean environment
( Korean nature Korean space sculpture) Inherited Korean culture
-Image of a huge lump stone (a round rock like an huge egg dicovered in the lower part of the earth)
-folding doors-when open the front and back folding door totally, experiencing the ‘Lui’, which is totally open space in a traditional architecture.



● A space where nature and people meet / A space for rest and recovery
1. Private Residence B&B –willing exclusiveness (self-tranquility)
- Traditional architectural elements –having persons feel safe , relax, flexible
Sculptural architecture
1) Floating Roof- experiencing the wind flow actively
2) Plastered wall-eco-friendly material make resident feel calm
Space of Smoothly flow , leisurely flow and flexibly flow

2. A space of rest, recovery, and quiet meeting place-programs
- Rest in nature, Rest in local contact
- Rest and recover with giving people resilient power
- Rest in Community with understanding essential nature of human being.

Location: Gangjin-ro, Seolcheon-myeon, Namhae-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
Site Area: A-306㎡, B-30㎡, C-302㎡
Gross Floor Area: 566.38㎡ (A -168.94㎡, B -198㎡, C -199.44㎡)
Bldg. Coverage Ratio: 199%
Bldg scope: B1, FL2
Structure: R.C
Exterior Finish: Exposed Concrete, Limestone Powder Plaster Coated with Leather Glue
Architects: Yecheon Architects_Daniel Keunwoo Cheon
Project Team: Eunnmi Jung
Photography: Daniel Keunwoo Cheon, Eugenie Cheon, Julianna Lee

House Symbiosis by Direction Architects is an innovative double residency located in Athens Greece, designed to accommodate two sibling families seeking to foster close bonds while preserving individual privacy. The house responds to the evolving demands of contemporary living, emphasizing familial bonds and offering a nuanced balance between communal and individual living. The primary challenge involved navigating the delicate equilibrium between privacy and socialization for the two families. Experimentation with geometry, spatial orientation and volumetric massing addresses this challenge. The project's emphasis on internal circulation drove the design process, adopting a sculptural tectonic approach reflected in the massing of the final structure. The resulting curvilinear formal language imparts a sense of dynamism and motion to the living spaces. The house gives the impression of heading towards two opposite directions.

In a fast paced ever changing world, what matters most is spending more time with the people that we care about. The main scope of the brief was to create a new typology for a double residency to shelter two sibling families, that want to spend more time together, while in the same time maintain their own private spaces. As a result, House Symbiosis, was born. The project showcases innovation in design and sustainability, as well as from a socio-anthropological perspective. In the same time the project has an existential character, while it can be interpreted from a philosophical point of view. It is looking at matters such us co-existence and preserving familial bonds and values in an ever more alienating world, where people tend to isolate themselves easier. In terms of design the project is introducing an innovative formal language, while gaining inspiration from the yacht, aerospace and automotive industries. The resulting curvilinear geometries impart a sense of dynamism and motion to the living spaces. The main challenge of the project was to create a balance between privacy and socialization for the two families. The volumetric displacement of the facades generates balconies and cantilevers, strategically limiting visual contact between interiors and creating secluded outdoor spaces. A sculptural ribbon-like geometry on the front inner facade creates an impression of a moving structure. A pool on the ground level located close the house, also adds up to this experience. The project designed based on the internal horizontal and vertical circulation and the sequential layout of the spaces according to their functional dependence. The internal circulation is externalized in the morphology of the facades through directional architectural gestures, with the lower residency to unfold as its spaces are successively accessible, from the northwest to the southwest, while the upper one in the opposite direction. House Symbiosis distinguishes itself by introducing an architectural interplay between motion and static elements. It caters to the cultural context of Greek families desiring close proximity for their children, while addressing the shifting paradigms of post-pandemic residential preferences. Its innovative design redefines the conventional understanding of a double residency, offering an architecture that harmonizes private and shared spaces, thereby fostering enduring connections.

House Symbiosis has a profound social character through its distinctive architectural composition. Its unconventional spatial organization bringing together two families in close proximity and its design approach while positioning social outdoor spaces on the heart of the project, addresses a series of questions in terms of architecture and human relationships. While the project works as a case study on bringing people closer in a residential context in the same time could teach us greater lessons in the subject of symbiosis in society and on the topic of building stronger communities through well thought architectural compositions. The overall flexibility and adaptability that House Symbiosis offers aligns with basic principles of inclusive design in a residential context. House Symbiosis embodies a strong cultural ethos, catering to the timeless desire of Greek families for close-knit living arrangements. In a post-pandemic world where the importance of community and connection has never been more apparent, this design approach aims to redefine the very essence of family living.


The house is located at the rear of a corner plot, forming an L shape in plan, leaving the front part as open space. The site allowed for a maximum of 40% plot coverage from which only the 27% was built. This planning approach shows an environmental conscious attitude to architecture, while allowing space for external communal areas for socialization as well as greenery. Internal spatial organization is guided by horizontal and vertical circulation, with sequential layouts aligning spaces based on functional dependence. The residences, while appearing to move in opposite directions, share a continuous formal language within a single building mass. In terms of construction, the main structure was raised up level by level through various types of wooden formworks for concrete casting. In some cases, where there were double curved geometries, it was required the combination of multiple formworks in order to achieve them. A main sculptural element of the project is a ribbon-like geometry with parts of double curvature, which unfolds on the front inner facade of the building. In order to construct this complex geometry, a detailed formworking procedure was required with the usage of horizontal and vertical formworks. In regards to materiality, the main final finishes of the project were different types of terrazzo with marble mosaic pieces for its exterior spaces and marble and wooden floorings for its interiors, allocated based on the function of each space.

Sustainability is also a central aspect of the project. The building has an A classification in energy efficiency, which means that is an almost zero energy building. To achieve this, all the latest cutting-edge technologies have been implemented in combination with a well thought eco-friendly design approach, while incorporating several green elements into the design. The project prioritizes also sustainability by optimizing building orientation to maximize sunlight exposure. An important part of the design was the green roof in combination with the garden to create a green footprint in plan of the order of 75% of the overall coverage. The building uses renewable energy sources with the use of geothermal energy for heating and cooling needs, as well as photovoltaics to balance the electricity consumption. The combination of these systems leaves an almost zero-ernergy footprint.
Architecture: Direction Architects
Photography: Studio Naaro
Architect Designer: John Kanakas
Architect Engineer: Kostas Christopoulos
Civil Engineers: Christos Tzallas and Panos Christopoulos
Electrical/Mechanical Engineer: Vasilis Christopoulos
Energy and Sustainability Consultant: Regeon