History and Location:
Designed in 1994 and completed in 1998, the History of Bordeaux Villa is inspiring. The family were planning to construct a new home for themselves however the father of three children
became paralyzed due to a car accident and almost lost his life. The family were
then forced to change their perspective on how they viewed their dream
home. The couple bought a hill which overlooked the city and approached
Rem Koolhaas to design their new home. Koolhaas proposed the idea of three
levels directly above each other as his plans were complex and unpredictable. [1]
The family home is based in Floirac which is 5km from Bordeaux, France.
Interestingly surrounded by an English style park. In this particular area building
are not allowed to surpass 9 meters from ground level. Bright colours are not
permitted because they can be seen from the valley. (Wikiarquitectura, 2014).[2]
Designed in 1994 and completed in 1998, the History of Bordeaux Villa is inspiring. The family were planning to construct a new home for themselves however the father of three children
became paralyzed due to a car accident and almost lost his life. The family were
then forced to change their perspective on how they viewed their dream
home. The couple bought a hill which overlooked the city and approached
Rem Koolhaas to design their new home. Koolhaas proposed the idea of three
levels directly above each other as his plans were complex and unpredictable. [1]
The family home is based in Floirac which is 5km from Bordeaux, France.
Interestingly surrounded by an English style park. In this particular area building
are not allowed to surpass 9 meters from ground level. Bright colours are not
permitted because they can be seen from the valley. (Wikiarquitectura, 2014).[2]
Spaces within:
The lowest level has a cavernous and maze-like interior. It consists of the
main entrance, kitchen, laundry room, wine cellar, television room and service area.
This level can be described as opaque because it conceals some areas of the house.
The middle level is the most transparent and occupied area of the house.
The space is situated partially indoors and outdoors so it has a close relationship
with the garden. It is devoted to daytime and is open at all sides and is limited
only by glass walls. This level is where the living room, dining room, terrace and study is.
The top level like the lowest level can be described as opaque because it
hides the bedrooms. However, unlike the lowest level it has portholes that
give the best glimpses of the surrounding area.
The elevator is a moving room without walls with an office chair and desk.
It has bookshelves which allow easy access to any book. The elevator goes
from the kitchen to the living room to the bedroom and is the connection
between the three floors. It acts as the client’s office which circulates the
whole house. [2] [3]
The lowest level has a cavernous and maze-like interior. It consists of the
main entrance, kitchen, laundry room, wine cellar, television room and service area.
This level can be described as opaque because it conceals some areas of the house.
The middle level is the most transparent and occupied area of the house.
The space is situated partially indoors and outdoors so it has a close relationship
with the garden. It is devoted to daytime and is open at all sides and is limited
only by glass walls. This level is where the living room, dining room, terrace and study is.
The top level like the lowest level can be described as opaque because it
hides the bedrooms. However, unlike the lowest level it has portholes that
give the best glimpses of the surrounding area.
The elevator is a moving room without walls with an office chair and desk.
It has bookshelves which allow easy access to any book. The elevator goes
from the kitchen to the living room to the bedroom and is the connection
between the three floors. It acts as the client’s office which circulates the
whole house. [2] [3]
Materiality:
The concrete top level is supported by a tripod structure comprised of a U-shaped beam at one end of the building and a stairwell tube located off center at the other end. However this is counter balanced by a steel I-beam running above the stairwell (on the roof), attached to a narrow cable, anchored into the ground by a large block of concrete. The top level is the ideal environment for five bedrooms.
Having the top floor elevated in this way allows the middle level to have 360° views of the surrounding environment. The whole of the middle level is glazed. Despite being an obstruction to the view, the polished steel of the stairwell helps to reflect the environment and appear to blend in. The middle level is the main living area and is connected to the outdoors.
The lower level is carved into the hillside to form cave-like rooms. This part of the building contains a kitchen, bathrooms and a wine cellar.
Due to the situation of the client, accessing multiple levels by stairs would be impossible. A 3x3.5m elevator allows the client to access every level.⁽³⁾ The elevator also becomes a part of each level, on the ground level it is part of the kitchen, then an office space, then part of the bedroom on the top level.
There is also access to book on a bookcase that runs from bottom to top levels. [2]
The concrete top level is supported by a tripod structure comprised of a U-shaped beam at one end of the building and a stairwell tube located off center at the other end. However this is counter balanced by a steel I-beam running above the stairwell (on the roof), attached to a narrow cable, anchored into the ground by a large block of concrete. The top level is the ideal environment for five bedrooms.
Having the top floor elevated in this way allows the middle level to have 360° views of the surrounding environment. The whole of the middle level is glazed. Despite being an obstruction to the view, the polished steel of the stairwell helps to reflect the environment and appear to blend in. The middle level is the main living area and is connected to the outdoors.
The lower level is carved into the hillside to form cave-like rooms. This part of the building contains a kitchen, bathrooms and a wine cellar.
Due to the situation of the client, accessing multiple levels by stairs would be impossible. A 3x3.5m elevator allows the client to access every level.⁽³⁾ The elevator also becomes a part of each level, on the ground level it is part of the kitchen, then an office space, then part of the bedroom on the top level.
There is also access to book on a bookcase that runs from bottom to top levels. [2]
Lighting:
The spaces designed on the interior takes advantage of the light allowing warmth through the building, saving energy and purposely deciding how much light goes through, where it goes and how it enters. The lower level has its spaces concealed and secluded as the top level is as well; though the difference between the two is that the top has porthole windows intentionally letting a limited amount of light through where as the lower level just prevents most of the light to come through. The middle level has the combination of indoor and outdoor living and has materials such as the steel tube concealing the spiral staircase which reflects light off allowing the distribution of light around the floor. Its spatial qualities are highly advantageous to the residents. [2]
The spaces designed on the interior takes advantage of the light allowing warmth through the building, saving energy and purposely deciding how much light goes through, where it goes and how it enters. The lower level has its spaces concealed and secluded as the top level is as well; though the difference between the two is that the top has porthole windows intentionally letting a limited amount of light through where as the lower level just prevents most of the light to come through. The middle level has the combination of indoor and outdoor living and has materials such as the steel tube concealing the spiral staircase which reflects light off allowing the distribution of light around the floor. Its spatial qualities are highly advantageous to the residents. [2]
Concepts:
The concept for this building created by Rem Koolhaas came from a number of previous inspirations such as “Villa Dall’Ava” as well as the “House in the Forest”, which has a similar style compared to the Bordeaux Villa. The ideas that made this building really unique were his client's request because he was paralyzed, he did not want a straight forward house but rather a complex design and stating:”Contrary to what you would expect. I want a complex house because the house will define my world”. So, Rem Koolhaas designed a home with 3 floors mounted on top of each other which have there own exceptional atmosphere and space. In order to make his client's life easier, the idea of making an accessible lift almost the size of a room came into mind. This also acts as a ladder for the client/or his family to reach their customized book shelf serving it as a multi-tasking elevator. In addition, the house is supported by an L-shaped beam at the rear side of the building that also meld with the cables that is hidden under ground to balance out the creative load which symbolizes Rem Koolhaas style of architecture. Generally, the Bordeaux Villa is simply a complex but innovative architectural influence that truly is a “Machine for the living”. [3][4][5]
The concept for this building created by Rem Koolhaas came from a number of previous inspirations such as “Villa Dall’Ava” as well as the “House in the Forest”, which has a similar style compared to the Bordeaux Villa. The ideas that made this building really unique were his client's request because he was paralyzed, he did not want a straight forward house but rather a complex design and stating:”Contrary to what you would expect. I want a complex house because the house will define my world”. So, Rem Koolhaas designed a home with 3 floors mounted on top of each other which have there own exceptional atmosphere and space. In order to make his client's life easier, the idea of making an accessible lift almost the size of a room came into mind. This also acts as a ladder for the client/or his family to reach their customized book shelf serving it as a multi-tasking elevator. In addition, the house is supported by an L-shaped beam at the rear side of the building that also meld with the cables that is hidden under ground to balance out the creative load which symbolizes Rem Koolhaas style of architecture. Generally, the Bordeaux Villa is simply a complex but innovative architectural influence that truly is a “Machine for the living”. [3][4][5]
References:
[1] Koolhaas, R. (2005). Maison à Bordeaux. Available: http://storiesofhouses.blogspot.co.uk/2005/06/maison-bordeaux-by-rem-koolhaas.html. [Accessed at 9.10.14]
[2] Wikiarquitectura. (2014). House in Bordeaux. Available: http://en.wikiarquitectura.com/index.php/House_in_Bordeaux. [Accessed at 9.10.14]
[3] ArchDaily. (2011). AD Classics: Maison Bordeaux / OMA Available: http://www.archdaily.com/104724/ad-classics-maison-bordeaux-oma/. [Accessed at 23.10.14]
[4] “Rem Koolhaas/OMA” (www.tenues.com) Pages 8-15 [Accessed on 06/10/2014]
[5] “Rem Koolhaas/OMA” (www.tenues.com) Pages 38-47 [Accessed on 07/10/2014]
[1] Koolhaas, R. (2005). Maison à Bordeaux. Available: http://storiesofhouses.blogspot.co.uk/2005/06/maison-bordeaux-by-rem-koolhaas.html. [Accessed at 9.10.14]
[2] Wikiarquitectura. (2014). House in Bordeaux. Available: http://en.wikiarquitectura.com/index.php/House_in_Bordeaux. [Accessed at 9.10.14]
[3] ArchDaily. (2011). AD Classics: Maison Bordeaux / OMA Available: http://www.archdaily.com/104724/ad-classics-maison-bordeaux-oma/. [Accessed at 23.10.14]
[4] “Rem Koolhaas/OMA” (www.tenues.com) Pages 8-15 [Accessed on 06/10/2014]
[5] “Rem Koolhaas/OMA” (www.tenues.com) Pages 38-47 [Accessed on 07/10/2014]