La Vie D'or

Located in one of the highest points of the city of Caxias do Sul/RS. The site provides an outstanding view to the downtown's skyline. The building's solar orientation is north-south and the main façade is allocated to the south, where is the most interesting panoramama from the appartments. With this conditioning, the living area was designated to the best view, and dormitory to the best insolation and heat.

With the city's master plan pushing the building to the back of the site, it was possible to have a large open leisure area ahead of the building, taking advantage of the plenty amount of sun in the north. In this area are located the swimming pool, tennis court and playground, besides a walking track that surrounds the building. This track works like a promenade leading the resident to access several leisure spaces in the ground floor while giving an interesting visual tour.
The formal basis was the non-repetition, the pattern was interchanged in the typical floor plan. The living room and balcony were switched in each floor resulting in a tense volumetric play. The towers have interleaved volumetric variations resulting in two different visual patterns when looked from different angles. With the balcony arrangements, the resident has different experiences in the same ambience which is evidenced in its volumetric rhythm.
The “boxes” perception is enhanced by the use of metallic coating. ACM pagination emphasizes the volumetric blocks and their orthogonality. It was possible to design the structure in a way that the coating covers completely the block, even its borders, creating the sensation of overlapping arrangements. In addition to the blocks, the long planes and line extensions were created to limit and guide visually. This planes when combined with the blocks deliver a reasonable and balanced volumetric set.
Glass skin used in double dormitories was also designed to leave behind monotony. ACM and glass were merged to create a continuous play on the glass curtain and also to add the expected movement sensation.
The glass cover works as a membrane, which is an extension of the main entrance. This cover brings the impression of being inside at the same time than outside. It connects the two towers and gives a unique visual impression to the towers from the lower level.
The apartment functionality is presented in two different ways, however interrelated. The first moment happen in the living room, where the geometric layout gives different sceneries, starting in the large opening, giving an outstanding view to the city, also perpendicular to it, another generous opening give access to the private balcony. Different sensations in the same environment. The living room is directly connected to the kitchen as it is connected to the intimate wing through the hall. This is the second moment, the intimate area and the kitchen connects through a support place without any interference in the living or dinner room. This ambit conceives practicality and independence of functions, resulting in increased privacy and convenience to the residents.