minimal 'casa JL' by 5 sólidos is a tranquil home in harmony with its surroundings in colombia

CASA JL by 5 sólidos

Located on the outskirts of Medellín, in Colombia, Casa JL by 5 Sólidos is designed as a private sanctuary in harmony with its surroundings. The minimal house sits on a mountain that overlooks the entire city, and features an outdoor terrace with a dark pool that naturally mirrors the organic, colorful aerial views as they change during the day. ‘A connection between architecture and its context was the starting ground through which the home was built,’ explain the architects. For that reason, the building has been divided into two V-shaped volumes that overlap an uneven terrain, each one composing the top and lower-level levels.

The lower-level volume encloses common spaces such as the kitchen, dining room and living area and TV room, which are connected to the garage, utility room, and storage rooms through a closed corridor. The open plan common area is designed to feel transient, allowing communication between the social areas whilst keeping a sense of intimacy in every zone. A sculptural staircase and other architectural elements serve as a disruptors of the open space paths but also function as contemplative elements. Furniture is placed throughout the space with meaning, while a sense of raw materiality in the environment and objects contrasts the tonal interiors with warmth and texture. 5 Sólidos describes this lower volume as ‘a space designed to disrupt the sensorial realm, influence emotion and create connections with its context, stripping down of any unnecessary elements that can contaminate its energy.’images by Nick Wiesner, Anna Dave

A HOUSE CONNECTING ARCHITECTURE AND CONTEXT

The upper volume of ‘Casa JL’ features three bedrooms that overlook three completely different sceneries. 5 Sólidos has removed all unnecessary elements in the bedrooms, proposing them as contemplation areas for each scene. Wood and concrete contrast becomes a connecting theme between them. ‘Is it beautiful? Does it serve a purpose to the space it in habits? Does it influence the way people interact with the space? Does it establish a sensorial relationship with them? These are all questions that were consistently asked and looked for,’ note the colombia-based architects.

The home’s terrace has an outdoor living space that is embedded at ground level and sits beside a dinning and BBQ area. The dark pool becomes a natural mirror that changes throughout the day, creating reflections that contrast linear architectural structures with the organic, colorful aerial views.

the home’s dark pool naturally mirrors the organic, colorful aerial views