Client: Keith Botsford - Copyright: Christian Richt - Awards: RIBA International Award
” By coupling indigenous techniques and materials with modern design technologies and aesthetics GBA has created this intimate double pavilion for a writer in Costa Rica.
A main studio space, with library, writing desk and grand piano, is the writer’s daytime space. The pavilion’s wooden structure, sourced from local timber, sits on a simple foundation of wooden stilts on small concrete pad foundations.
Roof beams of up to 10 m long and 355 mm deep allow for an interior with no vertical columns. The mono-pitched roof elevates towards the sea shore, while the interior is through ventilated via a completely louvred glazed end façade.
Set at a short distance along a raised walkway, a second smaller pavilion mirrors the first. This contains sleeping quarters and a bathroom. Externally, the pavilions are clad in corrugated steel sheeting, another locally used construction material. The overall effect is that of a building which blends with its surroundings, both visually and environmentally.” (© Photographs copyright Christian Richters)
About Gianni Botsford Architects:
” Gianni Botsford Architects (GBA) is best known for the award-winning Light House in west London. Innovative use of environmental analysis and solar geometry techniques, coupled with an ambitious architectural vision and close control of materials and techniques, produced a work uniquely suited to its highly unusual location.
The practice successfully combines innovation with rationalisation to produce thoroughly workable but extremely exciting buildings. A close working relationship with design-led engineers has enabled GBA to fully explore important aspects such as 3D daylight modelling, while a raft of experience in sustainable design and material technology maximises every opportunity.
The practice utilises this vision and an ability to experiment in a portfolio of residential works that encompasses the Light House & Pembridge Villas in Notting Hill London; Casa Kike in Costa Rica, which embodies GBA’s understanding of aesthetics and environment, material quality and workmanship in modern design; as well as designs for mass residential schemes including Seven Views in Estonia (420 apartments in eight blocks).
Additionally, the practice has completed two budget hotels in the UK for Treasury Holdings and redeveloped the company’s office stock. It has also collaborated on a five star heritage Indian hotel. Current work includes a residential and learning centre for young adults with special needs and a new-build house in Notting Hill. Recent competition entries include Dun Laoghaire Library in Ireland; the National Museum in Estonia (in which GBA came fourth); and a performing arts centre in South Korea.
GBA has an enlightened approach that encourages dialogue between design experts, collaboration and the exploration of radical solutions to best achieve the desired goal: the easiest option is not always the best. The practice has the potential and experience to realise architectural ambitions for our clients and provide totally useable living, working, educational and leisure places for future generations, without compromising either design aspiration.”
More photos From Casa Kike:
Drawings:
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June 12th, 2008 at 11:52 am
June 18th, 2008 at 2:50 pm