Project: Casa Tolo
Location: Portugal
Date: 2005
Purpose of Building
Split level 3 bedroom residential apartment.
Composition & Spatial Organization
The built form is rectilinear from almost every conceivable angle. Embedded deep within a dreadfully steep hill side, the building not only embraces its environment, but conquers it in the most transcendent manner.
The building itself resembles a jagged mountain range, the North Eastern elevation is titivated with many sharp corners and opposing angles which look to be almost serrated. Yet when looking from above the Western face of the building takes on a whole new character, more pliable to the eye, the serrated nature of the building still very much evident in the never ending continuation of stairs, yet rather more composed than its counterpart. The everlasting staircase unites the building from top to bottom, resembling that of a spinal cord. Every level seems to afford a terrace, ample to seat a multitude of guest should one so wish.
The complex geometry of the built form resonates throughout the internal fabric of the building. The living and sleeping amenities are modest in size, yet the space is overcome by double heights voids and staircases. The façade itself is adorned with large full width windows that open up each space to the external environment. The interior composition is intimate in terms of room proximity, yet they rooms are kept very private from one another as each room is a level unto itself.
The spatial planning of the open plan living room and kitchen is divided by a very well planned powder room & boiler room, above which, sits a mezzanine level. The kitchen below is joined by a cavity between the two floors that not only serves as a lightwell but an ingenious method of dispelling unwanted fumes out of the kitchen.
The Building Structure
The entire building is constructed using cast in-situ concrete. The external floors for the most part are either stairs, paving or concrete planters.
Building Materials and How They Contribute to Purpose & Structure
The concrete itself is rather cold and rugged against the soft landscaping surrounding the building, but seems to work in context with built form. With a very modest budget the use of concrete contributed to several purposes: Firstly, cast in-situ concrete constriction very simple to construct, ideal for such a demanding location. Secondly, concrete is very durable and requires little maitenance and thirdly, the speed in which the building can be constructed, dependant on the weather of course. The downside to such an expanse of concrete (as shown in the photo (A) below) is the impact it has on its environment; the building is so very stark against its lush green environment. Maybe this was the intention of Alvaro Siza; maybe he did not want this building to inhabit such a site comfortably?
The Building Style
The building itself is styled around its environment as mentioned previously, it resembles a jagged mountain range. There is something rather typical of Portuguese and neighboring Spanish architecture such as the stepping faced that resembles the stepping towns of Portugal & Spain, and the light colours that reflect the afternoon sun and that of its very rectilinear nature (as shown in the photo (B) & (C) below) .
Construction Detailing
The detailing throughout the building is very clean and sharp. The extensive use of concrete simplifies the detailing aspect substantially.
The Buildings Relationship With Other Works by Alvaro Siza
Casa Tolo is so unique and it is difficult to find a resemblance between other works. However, I have noticed that much of Alvaro Siza’s work is rather ‘cubistic ‘. This rectilinear approach is inherent in much of his works; his buildings are very clean and square such as the Faculty of Architecture, Portugal.
A.
B.
C.
