The project team presented the Gulzar Residence, highlighting that the design focused on human dwelling and vernacular practices have progressed together over time.
The project team presented the Gulzar Residence, highlighting that the design focused on human dwelling and vernacular practices have progressed together over time.
The Field Architects office is dedicated to analyzing these constructive forms and their multiple layers of information. These layers include factors such as local climate, dietary customs, culture and tradition, social and family organization, the relationship of dependence between humans and the environment, economic and material guidelines, form of occupation, craftsmanship and commerce, individual and collective ambitions, desired level of comfort, the concept of refuge, and the modification of spatial arrangement.
To this end, the office studies observable patterns and adaptive geometry within a specific context. Ladakh, described as a cold high-altitude desert in the Trans-Himalayan area, possesses a vernacular that has developed over millennia, enriched by its vast history in trade and anthropology.
Casa Milagro, developed by RAVSTUDIO, was designed as a modern sanctuary situated atop a hill, where the architecture establishes an intimate connection with the surrounding natural environment. The concept aims to provide comfort and conviviality, balancing social areas and more private zones through three interconnected volumes that define the distinct functions of the residence.
The area designated for social activities is positioned in the center of the house, offering expansive panoramic views of the landscape. In contrast, the private sectors are arranged autonomously, ensuring a more discreet atmosphere. This arrangement deviates from the traditional linear layout, creating varied spaces between the volumes, which results in the formation of terraces, halls, and outdoor areas, enriching the spatial experience and lending depth and dynamism to the facades.
The choice of materials employs a fusion of traditional and modern construction methods, utilizing a hybrid system. Walls and foundations built with brick and stone dialogue with prefabricated roofs made of metal and wood. The prominent use of local stone and the mixed steel and wood structure add solidity and warmth to the complex. The interiors are characterized by the combination of natural textures and abundant natural light entry, enhanced by large openings, wooden and stone floors, in addition to carefully chosen furniture to maintain the house's link with the external scenery.
The outdoor spaces were meticulously planned with a succession of courtyards and reflecting pools. These elements welcome the visitor from their arrival and guide their paths, both inside and outside the building. Such components not only complement the architectural composition but also reinforce, at each stage of the journey, the intrinsic relationship between the architecture and the landscape.
