Considered architectural elements form the hallmarks of this reflective casa in Colombia, making it a minimalist refuge for modern living.
Casa JL by architectural practice sits in the mountainous outskirts of Medellín, a city that has left its dark past behind, reinventing itself with a resurgence of culture, hospitality, architecture, and emerging design.
offers a delicate contrast in the kitchen while the neutral-toned and by add a soft, Nordic sensibility.
Medellín-based is one of the multi-disciplinary representatives leading the new wave of architecture emerging out of Colombia, applying a holistic approach to five (cinco) fields of design; architecture, interior design, branding, furniture and project direction. Gaining momentum for their reductive approach to crafting highly refined homes within a Latin American context, the studio have built an impressive portfolio of exclusive residential projects; each one embodying the core of their ‘simplicity and elegance with an edge’ design ethos.
Proving that less is more, Casa JL is a refuge that wholeheartedly embraces this ethos. Composed of which overlap to create a ‘V’ each wing is set across two- storeys and recedes into the earth, making the one of its strongest design influences. As though levitating above ground on columns, the home follows the contours of the sloping valley to cast a modern and minimal silhouette against the tree line. timber and floor-to-ceiling glass are the prevailing materials used both inside and out to create a cohesive flow while an abundance of greenery easily visible through every vantage point, window and balcony of the home draws the landscape inwards from all angles.
Asymmetry is intentional and repetitive throughout Casa JL. Softer elements such as the overlapping rugs in the living room disrupt otherwise rigid architectural compositions. The living room features the and – both designed by 5 Sólidos Objects – and .
The ground floor structure connects a concealed garage, utility room and storage rooms through a closed corridor that leads to the communal spaces including a generous kitchen, dining room, living area and TV room. Collectively, these spaces each have glass sliding doors that unfold onto the pool area. A terrace, stretching impressively along the expanse of the home, occupies a sunken and is embedded at ground level to ensure it remains unobtrusive to the awe-inspiring vista beyond. A key feature of Casa JL is the dark-lined pool that acts as a natural mirror, creating a changing reflection throughout the day, alongside the angular architecture with organic, colourful views of the hillside.
The upper structure connects the , including three bedrooms, each one intentionally stripped of any unnecessary elements to accentuate the views. Timber and concrete juxtapose to become a connecting theme between them, while glass sliding doors open out onto a communal balcony.
Every bedroom is stripped of all unnecessary elements. The master suite features low-profile furniture and the
The considered use of materials and guarantee that the polished concrete floors, rendered walls, and custom timber joinery all sculpt a unifying integrity. Thoughtfully selected furniture has been placed throughout the spaces and a sense of raw materiality in the environment balances beautifully with the warmth and texture of these pieces without detracting from the architecture. A ribboning creates an architectural gesture in the form of a sculptural centrepiece, while light-filled atriums and circular glimpses of the sky offer moments of curiosity and contemplation.
Intended as a reflective space for admiring the , this home rightly claims its belonging to place. Generously designed and impeccably finished, Casa JL is an accolade to who have explored a compelling dialogue in aesthetic tensions. The silhouette, raw tactility and connectivity to the land allow the true essence of the home’s unique surroundings to come to the fore.
This feature originally appeared in est Magazine Issue 45: Sense of Place.
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