July 27, 2010
Article/photographs courtesy of Duravit (info@duravit.de)
Unconventional cubic building in Paris
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| Franco-Argentine architect: Pablo Katz |
Building a single-family house in the centre of Paris is a feat in itself. On a small and previously unused corner plot in the 20th arrondissement, the Franco-Argentine architect, Pablo Katz, created a textbook example of a 21st century house that combines intelligent technology with modern architecture. Pablo Katz was born in 1958 in Buenos Aires. He founded the architectural practice, Pablo Katz Architecture, and has completed numerous projects in many countries, including houses, housing areas and office complexes. He has also worked as city planner and teaches in various cities, including Buenos Aires and Paris.
Intelligent townhouse with surprising properties
The unconventional box-shaped building is made of wood and glass and stands on a base of recycled stones. The shadow gap between the base and central element creates the impression that the house is floating. With wood panels as façade material, CK06 (the working name of the project) is in tune with its surroundings that are surprisingly green for a large city and include a garden and trees. This effect is reinforced by the large surfaces. The combination of closed and transparent façade surfaces, recesses and openings, gives the main body a sophisticated structure.
Innovative technology and ecology in harmony
A great deal of thought and technology are concealed behind the unusual façade, reduced surfaces and airy, interrelated spaces. “Our house should push the realms of what is currently possible”, explains the building owner. It shouldn’t merely follow fashion trends but stir the emotions and express a certain sophistication.
Energy efficiency and networked electrical engineering were essential without in any way impairing the visual impression and sense of space. During the planning, the building owners and architect attached particular value to limiting energy costs; they opted for fully recycleable materials, such as stone, steel and wood. However, due to its transparency, glass also plays an important role in the house. With increased insulation, solar panels, underfloor heating, grey water purification system and roof landscaping, CK06 meets the highest ecological standards. In a pioneering move, the entire building technology can also be controlled discreetly via small screens located on each floor. For example, the house is equipped with a central, remote-controlled heating system.
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Understated contrast: The steel staircase with oak stairs and handrails
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Convenience for users doesn’t stop here. A fingerprint scanner on the front door replaces the key, movement sensors control the light, there is a choice of pre-set lighting scenarios, such as “intimate dinner” or “home cinema”, the sun blinds close automatically with bright sunshine and the burglar alarm is activated when leaving the house.
Space, light and the careful use of materials
According to the building owner, the north-facing side is glazed to create “an attractive, balanced light”. When designing the glass façade, aesthetic and graphic aspects were just as important as privacy. This explains the alternating transparent and translucent glass sections. The south aspect also features glass surfaces, this time with perforated wooden panels in front that act as sun protection and that also ensure privacy.
The garage doors and side entrance for the guest apartment are situated on the west side while the main entrance is located on the north side. Opening the stainless steel front door reveals all the design principles that feature throughout the interior: space, light and the careful use of materials. Despite the small dimensions, the hallway does not feel cramped as the line of sight extends as far as the glazed south side revealing the small, landscaped interior courtyard beyond. There is a narrow, 15-metre high space leading to the upper levels. Floor, walls and ceilings are made of concrete. The steel staircase with oak stairs and handrails creates an understated contrast.
Modern, warm and hospitable
The stairs lead to the living area on the first floor with direct access to the kitchen on the south side – a bright area with a beautiful view, almost too good to work in. The glass safety doors of the adjacent dining area open out onto the glorious terrace.
An untreated concrete panel separates the living area from the stairwell. It is open so as to create adjoining areas rather than clearly defined rooms. The actual living area has a unique transparency, a pleasant brightness and a balanced materiality. Here, the exposed concrete of the partition meets the oak parquet flooring, a carpet and white ceilings and exterior walls. The white leather furniture and stainless steel fireplace create a very special atmosphere.
“We wanted a modern house that was nevertheless warm and comfortable”, says the building owner of the design principle. Architect Pablo Katz has stripped the building down to the essentials and assigned a specific function to each element. For example, the fireplace not only creates warmth and a wonderfully cosy atmosphere, it also serves as wood store, room divider and, on the kitchen side, as a bookshelf.
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Innovatively designed: The toilet, bathtub and the washing area are positioned in individual zones - offering maximum pleasure and comfort
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Innovative bathrooms for living and relaxing
Above the living area, there is an entire floor for the parents and, above that, one for the children. The colour white dominates the walls, floors and ceilings. The bathrooms play an important role on both floors and reflect the trend for living and recreational bathrooms. The bathtub, shower, washing area and toilet are positioned in individual zones. The house owner can watch a film or listen to music from either the bathtub or the bed. The sound experience can also be enjoyed while taking a shower. The bathrooms are designed to harmonise with the concept for the house as a whole but, at the same time, they are dedicated areas offering users maximum pleasure and comfort.
Bathing and dreaming in the open air
As if the interior of the house didn’t offer enough highlights, an exquisite roof garden is the absolute crowning glory. Here, one can take in the views to their hearts’ content or lie in the sun, have a barbecue with friends or simply just sit and enjoy. The Sundeck pool from Duravit offers the ideal place to bathe and relax and is a dream come true for the lady of the house. It maintains a constant water temperature of 38 degrees and is always ready to enjoy. The rectangular bathtub with wood panelling can also be covered with robust upholstered covers; these quickly convert the pool into a large sunbathing area and are simply folded away in order to bathe. A white awning floats elegantly above the roof garden and, if necessary, provides shade and also protection against the rain. And, as you’d expect, it automatically folds away with heavy winds.
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