Hercule, a monolithic single-family house by 2001
29/11/2018.
[Mondorf-les-bains] Luxembourg
metalocus, ANDREA GONZÁLEZ
metalocus, ANDREA GONZÁLEZ
Luxembourg-based architectural practice, 2001, has completed Hercule, a monolithic concrete single-family house in Mondorf-les-bains, in the South of Luxembourg.
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Hercule, single-family house by 2001. Photograph by Maxime Delvaux
Sketch. Hercule, single-family house by 2001.
Axonometric. Hercule, single-family house by 2001.
Basement floor plan. Hercule, single-family house by 2001.
First floor plan. Hercule, single-family house by 2001.
Second floor plan. Hercule, single-family house by 2001.
Section. Hercule, single-family house by 2001.
Cross section. Hercule, single-family house by 2001.
Elevation. Hercule, single-family house by 2001.
The natural context helped to determine the layout of the home's three levels as they step down the slope, designed by 2001. The basement gathers all the technical functions, including the garage; the entrance, the wardrobe, the laundry room, the fitness & spa area, the wine-cellar and the kitchen, as well as the dining-room and the living area, both of which are arranged in a single space of 14 x 6m, and open completely on the south-west side via a patio.
Description of project by 2001
Named after local hero John “Hercule” Gruen for its robust strength, the volume emerges fiercely from the ground like the tip of an iceberg: the stepping of the plot, a residual portion of land situated between an old farm-house and a suburban villa, drove the design, breathing a strong sense of grounding into the site.
Rather than working against the topographical constraint, the natural context helped to determine the layout of the home's three levels as they step down the slope. The basement gathers all the technical functions, including the garage; the entrance, the wardrobe, the laundry room, the fitness & spa area, the wine-cellar and the kitchen, as well as the dining-room and the living area, both of which are arranged in a single space of 14 x 6m, and open completely on the south-west side via a patio.
These dimensions are repeated on the upper two floors, which accommodate the bedrooms and bathrooms. Designed according to an essential aesthetic, they are included in a compact volume that represents the only visible part of the building from street level. In this way, the architects attained maximum privacy and minimized the building’s visual impact over ground.
Different approaches define the façades. To the south, a blind béton brut wall works as a beam for the upper two floors, in order to prevent the need for a column in the living room, while the north elevation presents punctual openings onto the garden, framing different landscape elements through furniture-windows. The east and west façades, oriented towards the street and the garden, are treated as curtain walls with a solar protective glass. Reflecting both suburban and landscape contexts, the house blends in with its surroundings.
The radicalism of the project is further expressed through the lack of finishing: “The project results in a multifaceted artefact, an architectural bastard, dealing with the context complexity and defining vital spaces for a young family in the 21st century”, asserts Philippe Nathan, founder of 2001.
Only the main structural elements are visible, and are enhanced through the use of formwork or sanding. The resulting austerity, which is unusual for contemporary domestic standards, underlines the essence of the project: the minimal quality of the interiors fosters a relationship with the context. The design facilitates the appropriation and the application of timeless architecture by its users in their daily lives.
More information
Architects
2001 Architecture
Project Team
Partners.- Philippe Nathan, Sergio Carvalho. Project architect.- Julie Moret
Dates
September, 2018
Area
GFA.- 446 sqm
Philippe Nathan - Sergio Carvalho 2001
2001 is a Luxembourg-based architecture company founded in 2010 by Philippe Nathan, who was joined in 2014 by Sergio Carvalho as a partner.
In 2012, the office was selected to curate the Luxembourg Pavilion at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, and in 2018, partner Philippe Nathan was invited to co-curate the Luxembourg Pavilion at the Arsenale for the 16th edition of the Venetian event. In 2015, the firm was awarded the Luxembourg Architecture Prize for its Kitchenstories project.
The office is currently engaged in the construction of (among others): STELLAR, a collective housing block in Tetange, Luxembourg; MEDIK, a medical care centre in Kayl, Luxembourg; NICIBIE townhouse in Esch-Alzette, Luxembourg; and PLOFT, a car-collector’s garage in Schifflange, Luxembourg.
Simultaneously, the firm is designing several projects such as OBAN, a 24-unit housing block in Luxembourg city; ORIA, a 4-apartment block in the south of Luxembourg; and TAKE 5, five social houses for the governmental planning agency Fonds du Logement in Niederkorn, Luxembourg.
Philippe Nathan
Philippe Nathan (Esch-Alzette, Luxembourg 1982) graduated cum laude in Architecture in 2009 at ISACF LaCambre in Brussels. After collaborating with Brussels-based architecture office 51N4E for three years, he returned to Luxembourg and in 2010, founded 2001. Beside 2001’s practice in architecture, urbanism and territorial development, Philippe Nathan intervenes in the local contemporary art scene through spatial installations and critical investigations, and has been a contributor, essayist, and jury member.
He taught at the University of Brussels in 2015, as a studio tutor at the summer school of the University of Luxembourg in 2016 and as an assistant at the ETH Zurich, from 2016 to 2018.
Sergio Carvalho
Sergio Carvalho (Luxembourg 1981) studied Architecture at ISACF LaCambre in Brussels and at the Politecnico di Milano in Milan. After collaborating with Luxembourg-based architecture office Teisen-Giesler for three years, he moved back to Belgium in 2010 as an independent architect. In 2014, he joined 2001 as a partner.
In 2012, the office was selected to curate the Luxembourg Pavilion at the 13th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, and in 2018, partner Philippe Nathan was invited to co-curate the Luxembourg Pavilion at the Arsenale for the 16th edition of the Venetian event. In 2015, the firm was awarded the Luxembourg Architecture Prize for its Kitchenstories project.
The office is currently engaged in the construction of (among others): STELLAR, a collective housing block in Tetange, Luxembourg; MEDIK, a medical care centre in Kayl, Luxembourg; NICIBIE townhouse in Esch-Alzette, Luxembourg; and PLOFT, a car-collector’s garage in Schifflange, Luxembourg.
Simultaneously, the firm is designing several projects such as OBAN, a 24-unit housing block in Luxembourg city; ORIA, a 4-apartment block in the south of Luxembourg; and TAKE 5, five social houses for the governmental planning agency Fonds du Logement in Niederkorn, Luxembourg.
Philippe Nathan
Philippe Nathan (Esch-Alzette, Luxembourg 1982) graduated cum laude in Architecture in 2009 at ISACF LaCambre in Brussels. After collaborating with Brussels-based architecture office 51N4E for three years, he returned to Luxembourg and in 2010, founded 2001. Beside 2001’s practice in architecture, urbanism and territorial development, Philippe Nathan intervenes in the local contemporary art scene through spatial installations and critical investigations, and has been a contributor, essayist, and jury member.
He taught at the University of Brussels in 2015, as a studio tutor at the summer school of the University of Luxembourg in 2016 and as an assistant at the ETH Zurich, from 2016 to 2018.
Sergio Carvalho
Sergio Carvalho (Luxembourg 1981) studied Architecture at ISACF LaCambre in Brussels and at the Politecnico di Milano in Milan. After collaborating with Luxembourg-based architecture office Teisen-Giesler for three years, he moved back to Belgium in 2010 as an independent architect. In 2014, he joined 2001 as a partner.
Categories
Our selection
