Facade often creates first impression of the house. That is one of the reasons why architects pay special attention to this element during design process. Take a look how talented designers from TOGU architecture office imagined home in Marseille and its modern facade.
Villa Ric is gorgeous modern home designed by TOGU architecture office in Côte Bleue, Bouches du Rhône department, France. Modern villa, located on the coast of Marseille, offers amazing views of the sea. (see also Nettleton 198 by SAOTA, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful houses in the world!) With this opportunity, architects focused the most on modern facade, which according to their press release, “features radical, contemporary lines which pair transparency and obscurity“. With that being said, 70% of modern facade is covered with glass, making thin but transparent boundary between indoors and outdoors.
The single level garden with beautiful landscaping featuring two centuries old oak trees and villa’s ground floor are designed to place focus on horizon, extending the interior towards the sea.
Purpose of modern facade described by the architect
“The glass living spaces are housed under an unfinished or white concrete “pergola” with the project’s flooring and roof terraces. This load-bearing structure also acts as an
“arbour” reminiscent of the shade from the oak branches. It directs views towards the coastal landscape and Southern light. Anti-UV sun protection is incorporated into the
glass to insulate the building and keep it warm.
The L-shape of the project provides a generous outdoor space (terrace: almost 100 m²) in the small of the concrete arms, away from prying eyes and facing the privacy of the
house.
The water mirror formed by the swimming pool enhances the blur between inside and outside, the sea and sky, and increases the feeling of weightlessness in the house’s interior
spaces. Throughout the project there’s a juxtaposition between heavily inert opaque materials, such as concrete or Barcelona granite flooring, and glass in the handrails,
partitions or joinery. Walnut surfacing (floor and partition) adds warmth to the atmosphere of the project.”
What do you think of this villa and its modern facade?
All photos © Loic Jourdan
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