By Anuradha K.
R.
Photography: Diego Opazo; courtesy the
architect
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‘Spectacular’
would be an understatement, when it comes to describing Balint House in
Valencia, Spain, as one would have to struggle hard to draw parallels to it. A privileged
place within a Golf Course, this residential property, designed by Fran
Silvestre Arquitectos, is poetry in its being.
A
first look at this unique structure would effortlessly bring to mind, the
images of some well-known monoliths. One could even be tempted to equate it with
an all-too-cosy Oyster, encasing a precious pearl. Considering the location,
the house has been designed so as to minimise its volumetric impact on the site,
by incorporating elements that resemble the curved nature of the place’s
topography. And, in doing so, the structure
itself delivers a punch. The sweeping, all-encompassing elliptical façade of
the house lends incredible charm and character to the house.
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The
placement of the structure is towards the edge of the plot, leaving ample room
for a pool and a garden on the southern side, while the aerodynamic visuals of the
house guide the eye towards the depth of the neighbouring landscape. Continuity
and sinuousness of the structure’s exterior is in perfect harmony with the
crescent-shaped pool, placed at the entrance.
The presence of water around this ‘oyster’ takes it closer to true-type.
Thick vegetation sets the lateral
boundaries of the plot.
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In
a striking contrast to the curvaceous exterior, the interior of the house has
orthogonalized spaces in its folds. The spacious patio leads into a central
void that serves as a hub, connecting the drawing room, the kitchen and service
spaces. A bunch of skylights over the area creates carpets of light that
transform the inside of the house as the hours go by. Upper floor is where the
sweeping façade perforates, for ventilation and the rooms are placed around
this area.
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Balint
House, the pristine white beauty, in all its exuberance, stands testimony to
the ingenuity of the human mind.
Love it White! I is a fantastic hue, during the day gives you interior many colors of grays or warm creams, yellows etc. depending on the out side light of each day which is never boring,
ReplyDeletewhite it is a fresh, spacious, light to the vision.
It is gracious and I love this building.
Yes the white is nice and gave a lot of light in the ambients!
DeleteFrancesco
MGS Italy
Really elegant and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteStriking, appealing, creative, radical... More than just seeing this place for myself, I would love to photograph it.
ReplyDeleteVery Well conceptualized project. Nice
ReplyDeleteQuite simply, anything other than white can begin to "color" one's perception of the design. In the same vein, people are excluded from the photography as so frequently are plants, art and personal memoribilia. "Personalitat frei" allows unfettered appreciation of the novel forms in their purest essence.
ReplyDeleteThe overhanging brow and lighting are a gutsy and exciting way to provide shelter while welcoming in the outside vistas. I would relish such a home but must admit I'd clutter it up a bit more than the architects and photographers might appreciate... on LinkedIn in response to the IAnD discussion thread - "Why is minimalism always shrouded in white?"