Introduction
White O is the first project of the architect Toyo Ito in South America. The house is part of the second stage of Ocho al Cubo, an ambitious development project in Marbella, which involved some of the best architects of national and international level.
The name of the house refers to one of the most respected Ito: White U, designed in Tokyo in 1976 to his sister. “Both houses are circular, but different,” says the architect. “In White U gives the impression that one was living in a basement. Instead, White O is open to the outside and seems to float in space.”
This work emphasizes the use of line HORM furniture, made in Chile by Empresas Fernando Mayer and designed by Toyo Ito himself.
Location
It is located in Marbella, as part of the second stage of urbanization Ocho al Cubo.
In the surroundings there are other houses designed by leading architects Chilean and Mathias Klotz and Christian De Groote.
Fully connected with the surrounding nature, White O is located in an area slightly northeast oriented and has attractive views in the same direction. The proposal intends to make a dynamic use throughout the site taking advantage of the special qualities created by the slope of the terrain.
Concept
White O is a circular house, which delivers the same image if you were living up to the treetops.
For the housing form a coherent whole with the rest of the complex design requirement was that the exterior was white, the flat roof and the walls perpendicular.
While the flat roof and the system of the front piles represent the rational construction, the manner of the early works of Le Corbusier, the smooth spatial quality that is experienced by surrounding inland from the driveway marked contrast with that.
Spaces
The house is both transparent and intimate, as expressed in itself and open to views, organic and orthodox rational.
The site and house are made together as one continuous space, flowing like a spiral motion path and focused on a partially fenced yard.
Approaching the house there is ascending through the natural line of the slope to the rear of the site. The house and the site is composed of a smooth progression of indoor and outdoor spaces with references and guidance to change gradually.
Within the interior garden, the slope becomes continuous with the floor of the house. Ascending a gentle ramp that wraps around the garden, the interior of the house makes a smooth transition to a private area containing bedrooms. Floating above the ground, these spaces have complete privacy.
The main floor is horizontally disposed at the western end, at an altitude of considerable height, facing the gently sloping site. Visitors walk in the room at the eastern end and ascend the ramp to reach the entrance.
With the exception of the garage and room service, located at ground level, all major rooms are located on the main floor, around the patio.
Both the living room, dining room and bedrooms look east, overlooking the golf course.
Materials
The work complies with the requirement to use concrete as the main material.
Video
Recorrido por la vivienda en su última etapa de construcción
