A dramatic five-meter slope, client preferences for specific room dimensions, and mandatory green space regulations combined to create a puzzle in modern home design. Though the owners insisted on no garden, the project still had to meet required open-space standards. Ultimately, the result is a balance of innovative planning and functional living conditions.
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Environmental Laws
House off the Ground / nanometer architecture
Photo by Archdaily
Key Takeaways:
- The house is built on a site that rises five meters from front to back.
- The building coverage ratio is relatively small.
- The clients specified exact room dimensions and heights.
- Green space requirements conflicted with the owners’ desire for no garden.
- Designers had to reconcile all these contradictions to create a functional residence.
Overview of the Site
The house occupies a plot with a notable five-meter rise from the front road to the back. This elevation difference immediately posed architectural and engineering challenges. Planners needed to account for varying heights across the property to ensure both structural stability and a cohesive interior flow.
Client Constraints
From the outset, the homeowners provided strict requirements for room sizes and ceiling heights. They also expressed firm opposition to maintaining a garden, saying they “didn’t want a garden because they couldn’t maintain it.” The specificity of the requests left minimal room for deviation, compelling the design team to work within narrow parameters.
Green Space Requirements
Despite the client’s position on gardening, the site was subject to green space regulations that could not be ignored. The building coverage ratio was intentionally kept small to accommodate these requirements, even as the owners themselves preferred to simplify the landscape. This tension between regulation and personal preference created several contradictions that the designers had to resolve.
Facing Contradictions
The mandated green space versus the client’s desire to forgo a garden marked a key contradiction. Additionally, the limited building coverage ratio and existing slope added complications. As the project progressed, every element—from interior layout to exterior planning—needed to reflect the client’s wishes while meeting the green space mandates.
Architectural Resolution
Working through these constraints meant continuous adjustments to the overall plan. By carefully balancing a reduced footprint, the architects achieved a design that respects the five-meter rise and meets the region’s regulations. “We had to face various contradictions,” the project team explained, underscoring how delicate the process was. In the end, the structure stands as a testament to innovative design that satisfies both official stipulations and personal preferences without compromising on the home’s practical, livable spaces.
