design et al are pleased to announce FGMF Arquitectos have enjoyed further shortlisting success at the International Design and Architecture Awards 2015 with a fifth project, shortlisted in the Residential £5 Million Plus category.
In an area of 53.24 hectares, only 65,000 square meters are not covered by the lush native intact forest that is permanently protected. In this area of accented topography, where large stones are surrounded by araucaria trees, a small valley was chosen, protected from the winds and close to the forest. This is where the natural walking paths cross: the site where people who arrive at the plot of land go to, access to the paths leading to the heart of the forest and to the top of the hill where one sees an impressive view.
This house is a fusion experience; nature and architecture intrinsically meshed one into another. Clear, precise, the wooden grid fits into a small valley to promote the house’s original function. It’s spot in the vast and irregular land is the point at which every visitor must pass by on their way to the hill, to the river or to the tropical jungle. Suspending the house above this point is therefore a means to keep the routes and to create new ones: one can walk beneath the grid, on its long external aisle, or on the green roof.
Three main issues shaped the project conception: the demand for a single-story house, the wish to establish a direct relationship with the land and nature and also the need to provide privacy to the members of the family, with the main area located in one single building. Another challenge facing the team was the region’s high humidity levels, which led us to suggest a house above the ground. A completely unique, challenging and landmark project, Grid House demanded an intelligent use of geographical, scientific and architectural research. An undeniably challenging project with incredible results.