ArchShowcase 
Sumit Singhal
Sumit Singhal loves modern architecture. He comes from a family of builders who have built more than 20 projects in the last ten years near Delhi in India. He has recently started writing about the architectural projects that catch his imagination. Apollo 11 in Santiago, Chile by Parra + Edwards Architects Designed using VectorworksOctober 5th, 2011 by Sumit Singhal
Article source: Parra + Edwards Architects Secluded forest retreat. “The woods are lovely. Dark and deep” -Robert Frost. Apollo 11 is a house/studio situated in the middle of a forest of native trees on the outskirts of Santiago at the foot of the Andean cordillera. It was designed as a ‘ship’ that could land in the forest and then later depart, leaving the forest untouched, hence the name Apollo 11. There is also the intent for the space to serve as a laboratory; the house is used as an architecture studio, a rehearsal space and a recording studio for electronic and acoustic music. It is a capsule that has been designed to support its crew – a family of architects and musicians.  Front View
The space is organized across two levels, based on a 6 x 9m rectangular plan, 6m high. According to the Japanese, the rectangle is a clean element that tends to disappear into, and not distort nature. The simplicity of the rectangle helps to minimize the structure’s footprint on the forest floor whilst maximizing interior heat retention during the cold winter. The two levels are easy to heat and the large thermally glazed bedroom windows are orientated north to collect and retain passive solar heat. During summer the foliage of the deciduous trees provides natural shade from the sun’s heat.  Exterior View The structure is made up of a simple grid, constructed with a treated steel frame skinned using 18mm timber ply boards and glass panels to resemble the light and shade of foliage dapple. The skeleton of the structure is always visible, the metal profiles representing new tree trunks and branches in the forest, nestled amongst the real trees. The facades, like the leaves, also change with the seasons with removable thermal panels that are adjustable according to the state of the natural forest. Inside the ‘ship’ the inhabitant is a guest, a silent spectator of nature and the forest in all its dimensions; like the transient crew of an observation capsule, having an ephemeral awareness of a place that belongs to them yet cannot be owned.  Night View  Exterior View  Front View  Exterior View  Exterior View  Exterior View  Exterior View  Exterior View  Interior View  Entrance  View from Inside  Interior View  Interior View  Interior View  Interior View  Interior View
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Categories: House, Studio, Vectorworks |
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