Chemin De Fer

House in Aroeira- Aires Mateus

I was trying to draw the basic shape of this building a day before I found it. It really shows how a simple shape can use negative space to create a functioning courtyard (if that is the proper name for it) as well as use as much of the area of the site that it can. While white is one of the most popular colours used in architecture, the use of white here matches its surrounding wonderfully, creating almost a border that accentuates the bright green of the grass and the darker green of the surrounding coniferous trees. The relative closeness the house has to the earth created by the low flat roof allows it to not take away from the environment, but rather add to it. As a work of art itself, the house is meant to be seen. I could not put up all the pictures I wanted, but it seemed one step of movement in either direction confronts the viewer with a new perspective of the home. The lines themselves make me want to draw the curves in the air in front of me à la Picasso.

While to me the interior stands little chance of rivaling the beauty of the exterior, the architect has allowed the position of the windows to dictate views, or perhaps vice à versa. It leaves the interior with a general sense of calmness and connection to the outside. I also see it as the interior design turns the inhabitants into spectators of the theatre of nature.

Source: http://www.archdaily.com/188322/house-in-aroeira-aires-mateus/