S1E1: Equilateral House: House Tour of the Award-winning Home by Jorge Yulo

Summary

The architect discusses his unique design philosophy, emphasizing a liberated approach from conventional 90-degree grids to create spaces that feel more organic and less calculated. Inspired by the Pantheon in Rome, he focuses on natural light and passive cooling for his Philippine project, prioritizing materials that age gracefully and reflect the home's artistic elements. By incorporating outdoor spaces within an urban setting, he aims to evoke a continuous sense of discovery, challenging traditional layouts and enhancing user experience through intriguing, non-linear navigation.

Takeaways

• 🏡 The design aims to liberate circulation in the space, moving away from a strict 90-degree grid for a more organic flow.
• 🌞 The Pantheon in Rome serves as an inspiration, particularly its oculus that allows natural light to fill the space and acts like a clock.
• ☔ The building's design accommodates the local climate, utilizing features that enhance passive cooling without needing winter considerations.
• 💡 The design process is often serendipitous, focusing on absorbing information and allowing for intellectual reactions over time.
• 🎨 Materials are chosen for their natural colors, avoiding paint, which allows for the artwork within the home to become the focal point.
• 🪵 A deep respect for natural materials like wood and stone reflects a desire for a graceful aging process in the house.
• 🌳 The design intends to create a sense of discovery, much like navigating through a forest rather than a structured environment.
• 📏 The plan is based on an equilateral triangle grid, which adds complexity and interesting experiences in navigating the space.
• ❗ Designing off the 90-degree grid presents challenges, including potential disorientation in the plans but enriches the overall experience.
• ✨ This unique approach to architecture allows for a more dynamic interaction with the space, making it significant and memorable.

Q & A

What design principle does the architect mention regarding the house's layout?

The architect discusses liberating the design from a strict 90-degree grid, allowing for more organic and anthropomorphic movement within the space.

Why does the architect admire the Pantheon in Rome?

The architect appreciates the Pantheon for its original oculus, which allows natural light to penetrate and creates dynamic patterns of light and shadow throughout the day.

How does the architect plan to manage heat within the building?

The architect intends to utilize the Philippine climate to passively cool the building, as there are no winters in that region.

What is the architect's usual design process?

The architect describes their design process as serendipitous, often incubating information and allowing for an intellectual reaction to develop organically.

What materials does the architect prefer to use in their designs?

The architect prefers materials that possess their own natural color, without paint, which allows for a more authentic aesthetic and graceful aging process.

What specific challenge did the architect face when designing the house?

One of the challenges was designing in a way that accommodated the equatorial climate, particularly focusing on cooling strategies.

How does the architect envision the experience of moving through the house?

The architect aims for the experience of moving through the house to feel like walking through a forest, which contrasts with the predictability of traditional 90-degree layouts.

What significance does the architect place on the use of outdoor spaces?

The architect wanted to create a sense of outdoor spaces within the urban environment, enhancing the comfort and connection with nature for the inhabitants.

What impact does the 90-degree grid have on the house's design?

Designing off the 90-degree grid results in a more interesting spatial experience, though it can also lead to confusion in navigation within the plans.

Does the architect believe that all houses should be designed off the 90-degree grid?

No, the architect does not suggest that all houses should follow this design principle, as it would diminish the unique significance of the house being discussed.