Estancia y Ficus in California by Cañas Architects

Article source: Cañas Architects 

The ficus was already there when the lodge arrived. The room arrived to accompany the Ficus and to highlight the place.

The program could not be simpler.

It’s a place where one can enjoy the view and spend afternoons and part of the evening with friends and family.

Image Courtesy © Ricardo Chaves

• Architects: Cañas Architects (Victor Cañas, Andrés Cañas, Ricardo Chaves, Sara Araya)
• Project: Estancia y Ficus
• Location: San Jose, California, USA
• Photography: Jordi Miralles and Ricardo Chaves
• Constructed area: 91m²
• Year: 2009, 2012
  

Image Courtesy © Jordi Miralles

The location selected had a slight slope towards the east and a bonsai like tree, that resembles the ones grown by its owner.

The view of the San Jose city with the central volcanic mountain range is spectacular, the Escazu mountains with it’s Pico Blanco or White Peak , so close  that you feel that you can touch them with your hands.

Image Courtesy © Jordi Miralles

Image Courtesy © Jordi Miralles

At nighttime, San Jose becomes the main attraction as it starts lighting up, the sky starts turning red, tinted by the city lights and the rest of the landscape begins to get lost in the darkness. The only one thing  that remains is the illuminated Ficus.

With this in mind, we designed a glass house, elevated on top of metallic columns and with a cover that opens towards the view – 3  glass sides and a back wall (with the amenities).

Image Courtesy © Jordi Miralles

Image Courtesy © Ricardo Chaves

The access is through a steel bridge and glass which directs us towards the open view of the city , and soon towards  the end, breaking off into an angle to access the room. It’s a unique 52 m2 space which holds living room, dining room, kitchen and a small adjacent bathroom.

This space opens up completely on its northeast side  facing the area’s landscape and about 60% towards the 30 square meter terrace facing San Jose.

Image Courtesy © Jordi Miralles

Image Courtesy © Jordi Miralles

A dark ceramic tile was chosen for the floor and the ceiling was paingted greyinh color so that during the night these colores would  leave the room almost in a semi darkness and would not compete with the city lights. The furniture and the wall colors all complement such style.

To sum it all up: a light and clear project, which is not intrusive, designed to immerse yourself within the scenery.

Image Courtesy © Jordi Miralles

Image Courtesy © Jordi Miralles

Image Courtesy © Jordi Miralles

Image Courtesy © Jordi Miralles

Image Courtesy © Jordi Miralles

Image Courtesy © Jordi Miralles

Image Courtesy © Jordi Miralles

Image Courtesy © Cañas Architects

Image Courtesy © Cañas Architects

Image Courtesy © Cañas Architects

Image Courtesy © Cañas Architects

Tags: California, USA

Category: Lodge

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