light and air permeate through residence's stacked concrete volumes in philippines

Through House in Pampanga Prioritizes Spatial Continuity

Jim Caumeron Design’s Through House in San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines, is a residential project for a doctor and his two daughters. The design prioritizes a ‘through-ness’ approach, arranging walls like a stack of cards to facilitate cross-ventilation and a range of atmospheric experiences influenced by natural light.

The studio aimed to expand spatial perception within the gated community’s modest lot size. Drawing from a previous project, Viewpoint House, the design emphasizes minimal materiality and maximizes spatial potential. The concept focuses on removing two opposite walls to create spatial continuity and a calming, liberating ambiance. The arrangement of alternating planes shapes the layout across different levels, addressing site orientation and specific requirements.

all images by r–vis

Jim Caumeron Design Fosters Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Living

At ground level, the layout by Jim Caumeron Design responds to community regulations by establishing clear outdoor boundaries. The entrance aligned with the concrete fence opens up to an accent plant, exposing the rear setback space and wall. Living areas extend seamlessly outdoors, with the front lawn and formal dining space framing either side. A double-height dining hall allows ventilation through operable second-floor windows that draw air out.

A continuous bench-like element connects the swimming pool, creating a sense of spaciousness that integrates the living area and the father’s room. Glass walls enhance connectivity between spaces, while operable windows support cross-ventilation. On the upper floor, horizontal planes divide rooms or stand segmented to create open spaces, with partial planes acting as fins to control sunlight along the hallway.

The billiard hall includes a pocket garden and a balcony overlooking the front lawn, while a protruding cube houses the daughters’ shared toilet and bathroom, providing privacy and adding an accent to the house’s front elevation. Lime-washed walls blur the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces, allowing residents to experience a dynamic living environment characterized by shifting light and airy ambiances.

the Through House arranges walls to facilitate cross-ventilation and natural light