glass encased swimming pool level inserted into forest dwelling by LAAV architects

the new project from architect laertis-antonios ando vassiliou, co-founder of OPA, which brought cliffside casa brutale, ‘villa clessidra’ is a conceptual three-level forest dwelling by LAAV architects. the cubic scheme of 200 square meters provided both architectural freedom and constraints, which dictated the proportions of each private and public program within. hypothetically, it would be built amongst a pine forest and be a place for relaxation and meditation.

images © LAAV architects and lefteris schetakis

the scheme would be constructed from a steel frame and clad in foam-board molded concrete panels. a distinctive element in LAAV architects introduced is the private swimming pool placed in the middle of the property. the pool would establish itself as a ‘transparent zone’ and define the upper level as the private area and the lower designated for the social and communal areas.

the element of nature, abundantly present, invades the house through the full-height glass facades and amplified by the water and mirror clad ceiling of the swimming pool level. light penetrates the transparent middle floor of villa clessidra, bringing playful patterns of refraction and shadows which is multiplied in the mirrored ceiling above the pool. this creates an optical illusion of a double-height space and simultaneously offers a visual connection with the rest of the residence.

bedrooms on the third floor are orientated to face south; both with en-suite bathrooms and in addition, the master bedroom has a glazed floor opening allowing direct visual contact with the swimming pool beneath the bed. in contrast, the ground floor is designed to accommodate the activities that drive the hustle and bustle of everyday life. this includes the library/living room, dining room and kitchen, as well as an outdoors, sheltered parking space.

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