Last Updated on June 20, 2018 by teamobn
Contents
Iisalmi, Finland – Arkkitehtitoimisto Teemu Pirinen
Built area: 194.0 m2
Year built: 2016
Photographs: Marc Goodwin
Three barns form the Y-shaped structure of this house. Its orientation allows stunning 245-degree views of the nearby lake, no matter the time of day. Large glass windows establish a close connection with the surrounding scenery.
Th front of the house, where the patio is, is raised on stilts to further enhance the view. Because of this, this part appears to be floating on water.
House Y receives ample natural light, eliminating the need for artificial lighting during daytime. Additionally, neutral color palettes help create a cohesive space that looks larger than it really is.
House Y exudes a contemporary vibe that is both charming and cozy. It features stunning views from the inside and equally stunning scenery outside. The layout of the house made sure that it maximized all these.
Notes from the Architect:
The client inherited an unattractive “McMansion” with poor spatial layout from his father. The house was designed to meet the tastes of the former generation. The site also featured a large pompous garden with extensive manicured lawns. The house was too big and expensive to maintain. The client wanted to restore the plot to a natural pine forest, and built a small home that fully engages with the surrounding landscape. An added bonus to the restored pine forest is that the client doesn’t need to mow any lawns! The new house and garden have been designed to meet contemporary tastes. Hence, this project represents generational shift in design ideology / ecology.
Concept
The house consists of three barns put together in a y shape. Each of the three wings possess a different spatial scale (width & height) to meet their individual functions and to create a sense of hierarchy. The scales change to always maintain a pleasant atmosphere. Because of the amazing location, perfect natural light conditions and vistas, the architect did not want to emphasize a specific view. The design concept allows an uninterrupted 245° lake-view. The daily functions of the house follow the cycle of the sun: meals starting with breakfast, evening socializing in the lounge, sauna and bed. Because it is situated on a windy site, the Y-shaped house concept provides protected yards on each side of the house.
The house and the patio are raised to enhance the experience of the scenery. In doing so the scenery appears even more magnificent and imposing than it actually is. By building the living room as a canopy toward the lake the room appears to be floating above water (when viewed from the interior). You cannot see the shoreline of the plot from inside the living room. There is an exit from every room of the house, so in the summertime the interior and the exterior are truly one.
Exterior
The house was designed to possess a dual quality. From the side of the main entrance it appears closed, old and traditional (hopefully even a little bit shabby). On the other side, towards the lake, the house opens up with lots of glass and large patios. The wood used on the exterior is untreated so that it will turn grey over time. A goal was to design the exterior to appear scaleless. The important thing was to make the windows to appear as openings on the walls of three connected barns.
Interior
The interiors are clad with a subtly whitened spruce to enhance the experience of the scenery. The concept of three inter-joined wings and extensive use of glass create a spatial flow inside the house. The cell like spaces of the bathrooms and bedrooms are introduced into the open interior space as boxes made of white plywood. This was done to enhance the illusion of an old barn that has been converted into a contemporary house. Finally, as a traditional focal point in a home, a large black fireplace acts as the centerpiece of the interior.
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Exterior Views:
Interior Views:
Drawing Views:
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