As any designer will tell you, designing something simple, dare we say minimal, is much more difficult than adding bells and whistle. The fine line between simple and dull can be hard to straddle. Spanish office Fran Silvestre Arquitectos has done that in their house Casa del Atrio in Valencia, Spain.
The name is translated as Atrium House and comes from the extensive glazing that was used. The plan is L-shaped consists of living areas centered on an open courtyard that contains a swimming pool. The shape also allows for the volume to be broken up and look less monolithic while still giving the required floor space. The architects wanted to maximize the feeling of spaciousness and so kept most construction on the perimeter allowing for the courtyard inside. The living areas are narrow enough to allow for natural light reach all the nooks and crannies. The beauty of this design lies not only in the simple shape but the sensitivity to materials and the appropriate use. Walls have been finished in crisp white that shines in this sunny climate. The only color in the complex comes from the delicately tinted glass windows and the brilliant blue swimming pool. Even the basement garage looks good enough to host a runway show.
With sublime proportions and immaculate detailing, Fran Silvestre Aquitectos are well on their way to becoming masters of modernism, reminding us again why we wish the terrible 80's never happened.
