PIX House

It is an architectonic intervention in an existing one-family home construction.

The decision of not demolishing the house was due to the convenience of keeping the project waste-free and to the owner’s wish to preserve the local architectural memory and identity.

Fact:
Architect: Candida Tabet Arquitetura
Location: Campos do Jordão/SP
Project date: 2005
Completion date: 2007
Project size: 2.200m² 
Interior designer: Candida Tabet
Acoustic Consultant : Ambiental Consultoria
Covering bathroom, door post and lavatories: Ardosia Chocolate – Mineração Alto das Pedras
General Contractor: M Engenharia Ltda 
Glass Panes: Divinal Vidros 
Lighting design: Studio IX 
M/E/P Engineer: Estúdio M Eletroeletrônica
Metalic Structure (project): Prometal Engenharia e Projetos
Metalic Structure (construction): Montreaço Ind. E Com.
Wood Structure: Orbital Consultoria e Construções
Photography: Cristiano Mascaro

Therefore, we went on a search for coincident alignments that would allow us to unify the isolate buildings and transform them into a unit. We adapted the patio central gap covering it with glass panels supported by columns and steel beams independent from the existing fragile walls creating an architectonic hiatus which brings the blocks together as to enjoy the tropical light and the ever changing external situ area scene.

Intending to join the empty spaces along the buildings, we invaded and embraced them. Demolition bricks gave this crossing a feeling of a souk or a street. We dealt with the adjoin spaces defining the 8-suite wing; kitchen /dining-room/, smoking area/ balcony wing; great hall in the far side over the atrium and chamber; 360º panoramic view master suite/walk-in closet wing.

Traces of the existing house and its human lives and the relations that were part of that house gave the new installation a singular rhythm, creating a pattern of atrium, chamber and patio with different ceiling heights.

The initial frustration once we approached the original house was substituted by an enthusiasm embedded on discovering new possibilities and unique results derived from adversities emerged from multicultural facets and influences. Stairways and runways made either of brick pile-up or folded steel plates are well perceived opportunities to generate plasticity by architectural means.