Monday, January 5, 2015

Serenading Formal Architecture

By Anuradha K. R.
Photography: Diego Opazo; courtesy the architect

India Art n Design features Balint House in Spain designed by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos
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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. 

India Art n Design features Balint House in Spain designed by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos
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India Art n Design features Balint House in Spain designed by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos
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India Art n Design features Balint House in Spain designed by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos
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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.

India Art n Design features Balint House in Spain designed by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos
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India Art n Design features Balint House in Spain designed by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos
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India Art n Design features Balint House in Spain designed by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos
.

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.

India Art n Design features Balint House in Spain designed by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos
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India Art n Design features Balint House in Spain designed by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos
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Balint House, the pristine white beauty, in all its exuberance, stands testimony to the ingenuity of the human mind. 

6 comments :

  1. Gloria Neumann Principal - Sun Decor FabricsJanuary 6, 2015 at 4:52 PM

    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,
    white it is a fresh, spacious, light to the vision.
    It is gracious and I love this building.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes the white is nice and gave a lot of light in the ambients!
      Francesco
      MGS Italy

      Delete
  2. Anthony Harrison interiors photography - and moreJanuary 7, 2015 at 11:52 AM

    Striking, appealing, creative, radical... More than just seeing this place for myself, I would love to photograph it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Suresh Jagad Interior Designer at Suresh jagad & AssociatesJanuary 7, 2015 at 11:56 AM

    Very Well conceptualized project. Nice

    ReplyDelete
  4. Peter Wachter Designer, Inventor, Innovation SparkerJanuary 7, 2015 at 11:58 AM

    Quite 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.

    The 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?"

    ReplyDelete

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