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onstructed overlooking a dense forest, Chameleon Villa sits on an acre of land characterized by a steep contour with an 11-meter difference of level between the arrival area and the river below. Given such a spectacular location, the challenge was to create an architecture that truly connected with its surroundings and that integrated well with the topography of the site. We worked on the idea of ‘landscaped architecture’, by blurring the boundaries between natural and built environments. As a result, the buildings appear to be a part of the land itself sometimes disappearing within it, and then at other times, emerging from it.

THE LAYOUT & THE MATERIALS

The result is a composition of volumes that are clean and modern but at the same time they feel ‘earthy’ and organic. The material palette is largely comprised of natural and locally sourced materials, meaning that not only could local suppliers and artisans be supported by this initiative, but it also minimized the home’s carbon footprint.

Sustainable design

Green systems considered for this project, besides passive cooling and sustainable materials selection, have been the use of solar panels to produce electricity and a water recycling and rainwater collection system for garden irrigation. In adopting this approach, the material composition and renewable energy systems become a true reflection of the building’s location and an advantage for the maintenance and efficiency in its use.

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