the concrete 'pentahouse' by wamhouse studio is inspired by the shape of mountains

karina wiciak of wamhouse studio has imagined ‘pentahouse’ – a family home inspired by the contours of a mountain peak. with this concept in mind, and as the name suggests, the project embraces a pentagonal geometry to form the volumes of the building and create sloping walls, mimicking the steep gradient of a mountain-face. designed by the architect to embody a minimalist style, with a nod to deconstructivism, the scheme is currently at a conceptual stage.

all images courtesy of wamhouse studio

planned by the architect for a single family, the ‘pentahouse’ covers a usable floor area of 6243 ft2 (580 m2), with an additional 1528 ft2 (142 m2) assigned for an underground garage space. the massing of the building is made up of several extruded pentagons of varying sizes, further highlighting the mountain concept as the structure as a whole resembles a range of peaks together. these separate forms provide for different functions, with the smallest volume housing the entrance, which then grows to double its size to contain a second floor level. 

in reference to rocks which make up a mountain-face, concrete has been selected as the structural material. on the elevations, these concrete façades are punctuated by large elements of glazing, bringing in light to the interior and also breaking up the monumental aesthetic of the building. the design of the ‘pentahouse’ is completed by a tailored garden landscape, in which concrete pavements are also partially based on a pentagonal plan.

project info:

project name: ‘pentahouse’

project type: concept

architect: karina wiciak (wamhouse studio)

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom