Bridged House
The Bridged-House design links two existing houses of different ages and styles as one, spatially, aesthetically and spiritually, while keeping the identity of two houses for the two generations.
The major challenge is their being segregated horizontally by existing long swimming pool, and vertically by 3m level-change between their living-room floors. The existing landscape plinths are demolished for a generous Middle Garden stretching the site’s depth. The pool, with all enclosing walls taken down, overflows to form a backdrop for the Garden.
A new steel bridge connecting the houses at second level, floats above the Middle Garden. This daily path of meeting, together with the Middle Garden and the pool, form the focus of the house.
The middle garden and the water-flow stretch the full depth of the site, forming the focus of the two houses.
The fair-faced concrete fence wall one first encounters before entering the house, capturing the fine, natural texture.
A new steel bridge links up the two houses, floats above the middle garden. Here daily path and outdoor life intercept.
The swimming pool water overflows gently down the black stone, gives a living pattern of water and light reflections.
Beyond the bridge is a cosy garden. The flowing water through the big window forms a backdrop for dining.
The ground datum is laid with light grey stone extending to the garden. Timber steps lead up to the intimate home datum.
On the upper levels, the two houses overlook each other, like neighbors in a town, and are linked up by the bridge.
Stairs are manipulated as a sculpture connecting all the levels. Tailor-made furniture echoes with its form and force.
Natural light flushes the hallway from above, giving a time dimension to the interior environment.
The penthouse is topped with plank concrete slab, tying back to nature, and to the fence wall of first encounter.
Stairs are expressed as a gallery of form and light. Tailor-made handrails emphasize sense of touching and grabbing.
Wall and ceiling form continuous lines leading from the parapet to the sky, and wrap the balcony under the skylight.
The skylights are designed to hide the glass frames, to blur the boundary between inside and outside.