OMBU HOUSE

OMBÚ HOUSE “Pleasant the voice of the water to those wearied by black sand, pleasant to the concave hand the curving marble of the column, pleasant the delicate labyrinths of water among the lemon trees, pleasant the music of zajal verse, pleasant the love and pleasant the pleas lifted to a God who stands alone, pleasant the jasmine.” Alhambra by Jorge Luis Borges. The Ombu House is a three-part building that is designed to be both sustainable and functional. The residential area is on the front of the house, the leisure space is in the back, and the north-facing pool courtyard is in the center. The two-story volume contains the social area and bedrooms, while the leisure zone is fully glazed and open to the courtyard. The leisure and residential parts of the house have different functions and scales, which creates contrasting atmospheres in the internal spaces. The leisure space is mainly for public activities, so it is open and extensive. The residential part is more compact and intimate. The materials used in the house are chosen to create a balance between warmth and coolness. Travertine marble, wood and glass plaster make a complementary palette with nature. The plants in the courtyard are essential for landscaping and create a sense of time and memory. The project uses sustainable techniques, such as cross ventilation and minimizing the use of thermal conditioning and lighting systems. Here are some of the sustainable features of the Ombu House: • Cross ventilation: The house is designed to take advantage of cross ventilation, which is a natural way to cool a building. The windows on opposite sides of the house are positioned to allow for a breeze to flow through the house. • Minimal use of thermal conditioning: The house is designed to minimize the need for thermal conditioning. The thick walls and insulated roof help to keep the house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. • Minimal use of lighting systems: The house is designed to minimize the need for lighting systems. The windows provide plenty of natural light, and the light fixtures that are used are energy-efficient.