AV3 House
A drone shot showing the shape of the building design in response to the boundary of the site
After the initial three initials of the client's family, AV3 House decided to adopt that name. The client first contacted us in 2017 with a concept of his family's house. We initially perceived the site's trapezoid-shaped structure as an opportunity rather than a hindrance.
Different interpretations can be made on the concept of "function”. This building served as an experiment in letting the building's overall form be dictated by the site, which effectively allowed us to investigate how we could address the demands of both the family and the built environment.
Ground entry with double volume shaded screen at high level
The house was designed with the entrance and drop-off spaces as a double-volume space, which made the entryway vast and evocative. A linear element of mechanical pivot screens, which the client can open and close to adjust to the site's conditions and the weather, breaks up the lofty area.
The building frontage was kept visible and continuous by placing car parking spaces along both sides of the property. The left and right projections gradually enlarge as you proceed along the house, opening up into a spacious living area that spills onto soft landscaping and outside timber decking that is broken up by curved concrete features.
Aluminum timber look louvers afford privacy to the living space
Every public area, including a family area next to a semi-outdoor pond, is located on the ground floor. This methodical arrangement of areas as they transition from outside to within. The focal point of the house is the fish pond, where a sculptured tree seems to float. Large windows with automated roller shades grace the formal living hall's two volumes, which let in a plenty of natural light. It is connected to the common area of the two rectangular blocks by a linear steel stairway that also has a double-height ceiling. A tiny, triple-volume void connected to the common area is connected to the curved glass atrium.
The soaring double height curve glazing act as the termination feature for two distinct projections
The centerpiece of the home is its curving glass, which allows residents to see views of a verdant public park through aluminum pivot screens. The master bedroom is cantilevered over an outdoor deck, while the upper story comprises two ensuite bedrooms, a study, and a master ensuite.
The constructed massing, like in many of DNA's previous pieces, is filled with the interaction of shade louvers and trellises, with the façade openings articulated by thin aluminum extrusions. It gives the neighborhood around its seclusion and is a crucial component of sunshade devices.
Text by the architect
PROJECT GALLERY