Architecture Shaped by the Slope

Some houses are designed on flat ground while others must respond to the natural character of the site. House on concrete walls designed by Dalmas Architecten, this home takes a different approach embracing a steeply sloping neighborhood and allowing the terrain to influence its entire architectural composition. With a main residence and a secondary apartment the building carefully adapts to the hillside creating a strong connection between structure, landscape and everyday living. The architectural placement of the house is strongly influenced by the sloping terrain. Instead of fighting against the hillside with excessive excavation the design works with the natural levels of the site. Inside the main volume a compact central core becomes the organizational center of the home. This core contains essential spaces including the kitchen, bathrooms and vertical circulation. By concentrating these functions in the middle the architects create greater freedom around them for the living spaces. The core also provides structural clarity allowing the house to remain efficient, compact and easy to navigate. Surrounding the central core are the living and dining areas creating a natural arrangement for everyday life. Instead of dividing the interior into numerous isolated rooms the design allows these social spaces to relate directly to one another. As the house reaches its uppermost level the central configuration creates a generous anteroom leading toward the bedrooms. This arrangement gives the private spaces a clear orientation toward the surrounding landscape. The bedrooms become more than places to sleep they become elevated viewing points where residents can experience the changing scenery. Privacy and openness are carefully balanced through the positioning of the spaces. The building gradually emerges from the ground creating the impression that it belongs to the landscape. This strategy not only responds to the topography but also gives the house a distinctive architectural character. At the heart of the design is a solid architectural base anchored directly into the hillside. This lower portion provides stability while accommodating several important functions. The secondary apartment, main entrance, storage areas and garage are all integrated into this level.