Articles by Andreas Luco

This house is built on a large residential plot of land that accommodates four buildings. All species of the cerrado still preserved endorse the idea of ​​taking care so that this bucolic environment is preserved after the future buildings and some paved external areas are built. From the beginning, in all interventions, we sought to avoid that the future residential complex would be configured as a group of four houses separated by streets and sidewalks completely paved as are the typologies of the limited lots in the large Brazilian cities. In this way, the created urbanism is not only defined by streets and sidewalks, but by a wide area where greenery and pavements are used for the enjoyment of pedestrians, wheelchair users, children in squares, and winding paths in mosaics and designs harmonized with the previously existing natural species and the newly implanted ones. 

This house is built on a large residential plot of land that accommodates four buildings. All species of the cerrado still preserved endorse the idea of ​​taking care so that this bucolic environment is preserved after the future buildings and some paved external areas are built. From the beginning, in all interventions, we sought to avoid that the future residential complex would be configured as a group of four houses separated by streets and sidewalks completely paved as are the typologies of the limited lots in the large Brazilian cities. In this way, the created urbanism is not only defined by streets and sidewalks, but by a wide area where greenery and pavements are used for the enjoyment of pedestrians, wheelchair users, children in squares, and winding paths in mosaics and designs harmonized with the previously existing natural species and the newly implanted ones. 

Commissioned by a couple with teenage children, the design of this residence, located in a heavily wooded neighborhood in São Paulo city, arises from a particular story: to create the new from the preexistence. Going against the traditional process of entirely building a house and considering methods with lower environmental impact, the clients aimed to acquire a property for renovation. It took approximately four years of research and visits until they found an urban treasure with unique characteristics, whose nature encouraged potential interventions. The dwelling was originally built following the principles of German architectural style, characterized by a steeply pitched wooden roof hovering over stone-clad walls and a wooden plank ceiling. The aesthetic captivated the couple for its cozy atmosphere and the memories it remind of a traditional German chalet.

Merging with the green surroundings of a century-old estate, the Orchard House unveils its boldly crafted roof. While its sturdy and authentic presence does not lie, the Orchard House presents a rich palette of thoughtfully arranged materials, informed by markers of its environment. Orchard walls, timber framework, and roof – Like the brickwork of an existing wall of the vegetable garden, adjacent to the house, the inner house walls were laid out of the same re-claimed Hilversums-format brick. This visually structuring element encapsulates the first layer of the design effort.

The project is located in Shimpali, belonging to the Nabon canton in the Azuay province. In a lush pine forest, an isolated and natural space of high environmental value. This led the project to respect the existing trees on the site, generating minimal impact on the environment. The terrain stands out for a very marked topography that offers a privileged view, where the forested area opens towards the lower part of the landscape. 

The lot in one of the highest points of the condominium was the key point for the decision-making of the Apuí house party, the steep slope in front of the lot created a large plateau 6m above street level. The architectural project was developed based on 3 essential premises: ensuring privileged views, preserving the largest possible area for gardens and lawns, as well as minimizing earth movement to preserve the integrity of the original terrain profile. We defined the plateau as the reference point, creating in it the main floor of the residence.

El Picadero is located in the Andes Mountains, in the province of Cotopaxi, Ecuador, in the Tanicuchí Parish. Located in Lasso, the project sits in a rural area dedicated to agriculture and cattle raising. Due to its proximity to the Cotopaxi volcano and Los Ilinizas, it is characterized by a cold climate, sandy soil and Andean vegetation, where eucalyptus trees, which are not native, have spread throughout the area. The 5,000 m2 rectangular lot, is full of eucalyptus trees that paint the ground in reddish, brown and mustard colors when leaves fall. The main house is located on the east side of the lot, while the stables are located on the west side. The purpose of the commission was to develop an in-between space, considering the main house and the stables around it. A space composed of a jumping arena for horses, a service area, and a versatile space designed to change over time (initially a play area that is meant to evolve into suites and a common area). 

Casa Órbita is located on a corner lot; it has two coastal edges, a view towards public green space, and views of the lagoon; the house takes advantage of all its views, enhancing natural lighting most favorably.

EX. – a design workshop founded by Andrea Cassi and Michele Versaci, also authors of the Black Body Mountain Shelter – has designed a new mountain bivouac in the western Alps, located at an altitude of 2.850 meters above sea level. The shelter, built in memory of Stefano Berrone, is a folded wooden and aluminum shell situated on a remote scree slope in the Valley of Seguret Mount, in the north-western Italian Alps. This discreet intervention in the alpine landscape takes the form of a rigid tent with a faced shape. It has been designed following the analysis of sun exposure and wind directions, fostering a continuous dialogue between the architecture, the valley morphology, and its atmospheric agents. The architecture primarily provides shelter and protection for alpinists, and at the same time helps to explore the relationship between an artificial structure and its natural environment. This investigation delves into the project’s long-term impact on the natural context and its interaction with the surrounding environmental conditions.