OPA casa brutale conceptual residence aegean sea greece designboom
‘casa brutale’ is an unclad statement of simplicity and harmony in contemporary architecture. the conceptual residence, by OPA (open platform for architecture), is a chameleonic living space that teeters on the high cliffs above the aegean sea. it is a study of aesthetics, structure, function and engineering, waiting hopefully to be built.

OPA casa brutale conceptual residence aegean sea greece designboom
all images courtesy of OPA

 

 

‘casa brutale’ draws directly from adalberto libera’s italian masterpiece casa malaparte; but rather than sitting above ground, it’s encased by the tender earth surrounding. the home is constructed with simple materials like wood, glass, and raw concrete, putting the focus on the landscape and ocean. nothing extends above the ground level, and impact is limited to a single façade that separates the vertical cliff face.

OPA presents conceptual cliffside 'casa brutale' on the aegean sea
interior view of the pool above

 

 

the roof of the residence is a crystalline pool made of reinforced glass. its bottom is glazed, and functions as a massive skylight that floods the interior with natural light. top-to-bottom glass covers the entire cliff-facing façade, which poetically maximizes the exposure of the home to the elements.

OPA presents conceptual cliffside 'casa brutale' on the aegean sea
entrance to ‘casa brutale’

 

 

50 stairs take homeowners downwards into the house, at the bottom of which is a tall, rotating door of aged wood. internally, the rest of the home is bare, open, and simple. a cast concrete dining table is accompanied by a matching set of concrete benches, topped with a seating surface of wood. behind the seats, is a sculpturesque fireplace.

OPA casa brutale conceptual residence aegean sea greece designboom
glazed façade to the sea

 

 

a thin, steel staircase leads from the kitchen to the mezzanine, which is dedicated to the master bedroom. like other furnishings, the bed frame is made of concrete and wood, and walls are mirrored to enhance the play of light and shadow. on the main floor, there’s a guest room, as well as a small corridor that leads to a storage area and bathroom. 

OPA presents conceptual cliffside 'casa brutale' on the aegean sea
view from kitchen

OPA presents conceptual cliffside 'casa brutale' on the aegean sea
half-level, with the mirrored walls 

OPA presents conceptual cliffside 'casa brutale' on the aegean sea
master bedroom on mezzanine

OPA casa brutale conceptual residence aegean sea greece designboom
day and night 

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top view

OPA casa brutale conceptual residence aegean sea greece designboom
floor plan of the lowest level (-9.90)

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section 

 

 

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: nick brink | designboom