But first Cardillo. He sent me some shots of his House of Convexities near Barcelona – and like all his work, this house is amazing.

It’s so unusual for the landscape. Very offbeat. I love how, from this view, it’s in line with the range. That’s pretty cool. Along with the photos Cardillo sent his own description; which is really neat, so let’s look at that…

“If architecture is music in stone can its “limbs” dance? Architecture only remains still in pictures. In real life its natural state is one of transition. Both man and light move within it.

Inside a house among coarse Mediterranean glades and corrugated stone walls, a slanting light, pierced by innumerable narrow repeated blades, inscribes and describes the walls with its impermanent, mutable hand. How many possible stories will this light tell over the course of a year?

A curved wall jokes with the light. The light bathes the wall, but reaches the moment and the place in which, going beyond the curve, it takes a tangent, deciding what will be lit and what will be dark. And this movement suggests the indefinite, mutability, shading, ineffability.

Thus architecture becomes light interpreted through the “limbs” of the architecture. Like shadows of flesh on flesh, whose forms are both definite and defining.”

“A curved wall jokes with the light!” I’m thinking this is one architect who is a poet as well. Maybe a second job is in order. From the view above the idea of layout might be a little baffling, but this layout shot below allows the design to make more sense.

To see the interior, and more of the description, jump to the next page…

My favorite, well, one of my favorite things about Cardillo’s designs are all the curves. Each of his structures that I’ve seen have these swooping, gentle curves, and it’s so soothing. Your eyes want to follow the lines. For example, check out the swoop below; all I’m thinking is whoosh…

More description:

“Here, as in a Flamenco dance, the body breaks up, invading the space moving through its potential articulations without, however, defining the void, or, interpreting the many possibilities of moving within it: fleshy and sensual, but equally incisive and precise. Secret but luminous. Closed but open to a multitude of possibilities. A body inside another body. Compressed, suspended and continuous in its curvilinear trajectory.

And yet, as in a Flamenco dance, the development of movement, its indefinable ardour, is made real by the successive instant. That solemn, still instant that seems to challenge eternity.

Thus, smooth, tall and still, a wall opposes silence. And such stillness paradoxically supports the preceding movement, giving sense to its being.”

Wait until you see this image:

What the flip!? I love it. I haven’t ever seen an interior quite like this one before.

Like Cardillo’s other designs, this one is innovative, makes use of great colors (I always like the subtle hues going on), and full of creative light. If you’re interested in seeing more, check out the following posts:

Other Cardillo designs:

• Birnbeck Island
• Vaulted House
• Home in Erice
• Ellipse house – maybe my favorite

[All photos courtesy of Antonino Cardillo]

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Flamenco y arquitectura

The Vaulted House is lovely, and now, thanks to WAN, I can tell you that it’s in Parma, Italy. The exterior of this home, like all Cardillo homes is unique and clean. His work is always so darn tidy – my record collection and books would look so out of place in one of his homes.

See inside…

I love this shot below… it really shows how the space must feel so large if you’re there. Actually, the entire space of the home is striking with the green accents. Unusual but clearly Cardillo style and very slick. As usual the design is full of light that plays on the walls and colors of the home. I think that’s my favorite thing about Cardillo’s designs, his work is never static, it changes even after completion.

Read all about this home at WAN.

Other related Cardillo designs:

Birnbeck Island

Home in Erice

Ellipse house – my favorite possibly

[All photos courtesy of Antonino Cardillo]

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Antonino Cardillo’s Vaulted House

House J designed by South African architect Kevin Fellingham from Kevin Fellingham Architecture. This was his first major project and thus it’s a huge deal that he won. For once it’s nice to guess right, let me tell you.

The jury’s comments:

“This house created the most debate and was the most complex to understand, yet at every discovery, revealed deeper and deeper qualities. The interiors were the most impressive feature, being beautifully detailed and finished without lavish materials. In particular the attention to detail at ceiling level where flat surfaces are integrated with vaulted spaces, showed particular sensitivity to the making of living architecture for this home. Then there is its relation to the context, the exploitation of magnificent views and the moulding of the building to its context through the section and through the relationship of natural indigenous materials and those which are manufactured. The response to climate is also very impressive.”

Let’s take a look:

To see more and learn about the contest visit WAN.  Congrats to Kevin Fellingham Architecture for a great win!

Now, did you guess the winner correctly? 

Post from: Blisstree

The winner of the WAN House of the Year 2007 – yup, I totally called it!

Here’s this year’s short list:

1. Salt Point House Thomas Phifer and Partners- New York, USA
2. The Long House Keith Williams Architects – London, UK
3. Acrylic House Takeshi Hosaka Architects – Japan
4. Home/office Marià Castelló arquitecte – Formentera Island, Spain
5. House J Kevin Fellingham Architecture – Cape Town, SA
6. J2 House 3LHD architects – Zagreb, Croatia

Now, do I have an opinion about who should win? Of course I do. Geez. You knew I would. Can you guess from the photo above which house I’d choose?

My favorite for the win:

I like the J2 House. I’m already a fan of a lot of 3LHD’s work, in particular, Villa Klara and their Sports Hall Bale. I think J2 is beautiful. I guess some of the judges found it a bit too industrial for residential – but I think it strikes a nice balance between unique and livable.

You can see more of this stunning home – including some interior shots at the 3LHD website.

Who I think will actually win:

I’m not sure but I think that it will be Salt Point House or House J. While I like Salt Point House, my big money is on House J for the win. Why? Mainly because there are two homes that made the short list, that I’m not in love with, and House J was one of them. I’m always guessing contest outcomes wrong. Also, I think J House has that whole, “I’m complex, so love me!” deal going on. Don’t get me wrong, the more I see it and read about it, the more I like it. House J has some excellent qualities. I just don’t adore it. Not my style. Although, you do sort of have to love this shot…

You know you love it.

Visit World Architecture News to see all six homes and choose your favorite. Or love them all equally if you like – just go take a look. Maybe come tell me which you like best. On Friday, we’ll see who wins.

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WAN House of the Year for 2007 Almost Here!