A ‘House’ as we all know is more than just a building. Sometimes, we express ourselves with it and some other times, in it. The architecture that has been followed in the house is a kind of option as to what can be done in a barren land in Haputale.
The main challenge of this holiday home was to design how we could get the best advantage of the views, while maintaining the privacy of its occupants and blending in with the surroundings. The property is located in Haputale, facing an undisrupted view towards Hambantota, which is a straight 50 km away.
It is a simple geometric shape (cube), which highlights the site’s mountainous terrain. The house captures the view of the valley towards the South, and the mountain range towards the North and North West. The different levels at terraces makes the interesting habitable spaces compliment with different views. The infinity pool, merged with the sky screen, give the some what unusual experience to the occupations.
The dialog between the building and its setting is critical, if it is to appear harmonious. The house is a concrete and steel / glass box elevated on a mountain terrain. The surrounding nature is clearly different to the material used, which gives the benefit to the occupant to feel the difference while being in the comfort. The house is open from all sides, but covered with huge glass panels to capture every bit of the surrounding. Although it looks somewhat alienate to its immediate surroundings, the setting has made the difference to blend the building with the terrains
The two unit house consists of living, bedroom and toilet in its two levels, and the kitchen at a lower level. The geometric shape and levels of the terraces, the elevated swimming pool and the green surroundings are compliments to the house.
Tranquility has been emerged from………. The views ……... Nature.......... & Shapes......... Where the ones mind could set for long journey over the valley. The shades of the sky & the depth of the valley has been soaked with the geometric shapes.
The fine edges, infinity pool, & depth of the valley blend with the geometrics of the building. The building has been placed in the natural setting of the locality to enhance the experience of the place as well as the benefit of the view toward the valley. The concrete glass & steel plays their roles as refine materials while stoned terraces and the natural terrain makes the blending.
2006
2007
The materials used in the project reflect the nature of the building. The main structure is concrete with steel framework and steel stair case to connect floors. The wide tempered glass panels used to get the maximum view to the rooms. The front glass panels are open able and leads to the timber balcony. The walls are rough textured plaster while floors are cut cement finished. The swimming pool terrace is finished with concrete planks and other terraces paved with rough stone finished which is common in this area. Aluminum primer is used in external surfaces to give slightly glittering effect which helps to varied the appearance during the day due to the angle of the sun light falling through.
D.A.K YAPA ASSIST ARCHITECT
A M KALYANI ASSISTANT ARCHITECT
RUWAN PRIYARATNE ARCHI ASSISTANT
WAJIRA MUNASINGHE CONTRACTOR
TISSA BASS HEAD MASON
G H GAMINI ELECTICAL / PLUMBING
Hemantha Arunasiri
