ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

SECOND YEAR
SEMESTER –III

Site Analysis
Presentation
Created by
Prajalika Bhalerao
Architects: Studio Guilherme Torres

Location: Londrina, Brazil

Client: LA
Area: 410 square meters
Year: 2009
Photographs: Denilson Machado // MCA Estúdio
Concept
LA House is a 410 square meter house, in
three levels, which was completed in 2009;
the house is designed for a young couple
who wished to eliminate the small spaces
and the traditional partitions in the existing
condominium in Londrina, Brazil.  The
architectural concept is to ‘break the
paradigm’ as the architect quoted. 
Accomplishing this from the very first look
before you even enter the house, a big
wooden box of Brazilian teak cumaru wood
cries out loud and calls for everyone’s
attention; you can see this box whether you
are inside or outside the Londrina based
condo.
Factors
 LA House is located in the highest point of the
Londrina based condominium, this meant that
many factors were taken into consideration
and a lot of parameters were set due to the
lack of privacy.  The lack of privacy issue was
created based on the fact that the house is
located at the highest point of the lot, and also
the wide extension of the exterior boundary
walls.  To overcome this issue Studio
Guilherme Torres adopted a solution of
creating a ground level plateau foundation,
which is surrounded by walls that embrace the
whole construction and create a perimeter in-
between the condo walls. 
 From this premise, the large reinforced
concrete box was covered Brazilian teak
cumaru wood, creating the most usual
part of the site, and thus leaving the lot in
a trapezoid shape for the garden and the
pool area.  The core concept of LA House
is breaking archetypes; such as the small
spaces and the traditional partitions
although the house is intended for a
couple and maybe also for a family;
moreover another example of such was
given right at the entrance – the entrance
gate leads the visitor to walk by the pool
and enter the house by the double height
atrium which connects the entire house.
House Design
Site Plan Section AA
Basement Plan Ground Floor First Floor
Living Room
 The all-white living room area which is located on the ground floor facilitates the linkage
between the inside and the outside by means of large pivoting glass doors.  Upon entrance
to the living room you come face to face with the 1981 Galaga static arcade game wall, the
wall stickers can fascinate everyone as they bring memories of the past to everyone; I can’t
believe that there is any single person who could claim that they haven’t enjoyed this or
any other arcade game!  An oversized sofa in light grey compliments the capitone light
blue oversized pouf which totals four square meters and is the centerpiece of this double
height living room; a beige flokati shag rug runner scuttles 10meters parallel to the sofa
and is frivolously placed on the polymer-cement floor.  Iconic furniture such as Nelson
Platform Bench – George Nelson, Zigzag – Gerrit T. Rietveld, Butterfly/Hardoy chair –
Jorge Ferrari-Hardoy, Wassily Chair – Marcel Breuer, and the Cubo armchair - Jorge
Zalszupin add the final touches to this magnificent interior.
Living Room
Kitchen
The kitchen is integrated into the open-
plan environment, with a niche where
stove and even a barbecue was
installed.   The anthracite kitchen
matches well with the yellow free-
standing counter and in any case it
does not remind us of a conventional
kitchen, even as an open-plan.  Little
accessories and accompanying design
elements make the difference!
The dining area is perfectly
integrated to the kitchen and living
room; a custom design table
by Studio Guilherme Torres is
matched with the 1950 Y Chairs
by Hans J. Wegner.  Even the
lavatory has been designed in such
a way so to work as a pool
changing room.
The ground floor is connected
to the upper floor by an
internal straight staircase; once
on the upper level where the
bedrooms are located the
flooring changes to indicate the
difference in the program. 
Wooden flooring replaces the
polymer-cement and indicates
the difference.  The master
suite is separated from the
living room atrium by a glass
wall.
The toilet and closet are integrated
to the sleeping area. The hall
located by the stairs on the upper
floor, works as a small office
space and has its windows
protected by concrete hollow
elements. Simple solutions,
uncomplicated design and a
selection of a few materials which
are generously used, confer
individuality, character and a
timeless touch for this project,
showing an uncomplicated,
simpler way of living.
THANK YOU