Villa S
Bsous, Lebanon 2016
Plot # 580 is located on a sloped site that drops 5 m from the highest edge on the southern road to the lowest northern edge where the site links to the main access road. The plot is 980 m2 for a built-up space of 865 m2. The geometry of the plot and the imposed setbacks reduce the allowable footprint of the project to an orthogonal plan where the main functions of the residence are located on three levels. A vehicular entrance with parking and service spaces are provided at the base of the project, which is accessible from the lower access road. The main road continues on the East side of the project to provide another vehicular parking to the main entrance
A ground-floor level above the base comprises two living rooms separated by a chimney and a dining room with a fully open frontage on the northern orientation, as well as direct access to a sundeck terrace, a lap pool and a swimming pool that spouses the shape of the plot at its Northern corner. A kitchen, a guest toilet and a reception lobby are also on this level. An intermediary level above the ground floor comprises the master suite and a family living space that opens to a narrow balcony along its North facade. The intermediary floor then extends to the first floor that is 1.2 m higher. This creates an impressive height of 5 meters in the living areas on the ground floor.
The first floor is essentially a floor open to the West and East with an almost blind South facade. It holds mainly three master bedrooms and a lobby for family gatherings. All levels are connected through a central U shaped staircase that is lit by a glazed skylight of 25 m2 above it. A double-glazed glass facade partially shaded by a cantilevered horizontal wood canopy develops vertically on the northern facade from the ground floor sundeck level through the intermediary level to the sloped red brick roof of the building where the skylight is.
Perceived from the southern entrance on the upper edge of the site, the frontal facade has a discreet profile featuring a set of horizontal openings that bring filtered light inside the rooms and extends from the first level and wraps around the building all the way to the roof towards the North side of the building. Bsous 580 is a project of dramatic forms and geometric simplicity. With both orthogonal volumes and the over sloped roof, the careful selection of exterior surface materials brings a duality to the overall architectural composition. While the lower part of the facades is cladded with selected local stone, the upper part is covered with engineered wood and although distinct materials are used on each of the primary architectural elements, these materials were chosen to be complimentary and of striking contrast.
