Primary Focus

Taking its cue from the towering trees that surround it, this house created by Salmela Architects uses proportion and scale to create an efficient and light filled home. Building on the foundations of an existing house, dramatic variations in the ceiling heights have been engaged to help define different areas, most prominently in the kitchen and living area where the triple height ceiling of the living area drops to a low ceiling for the kitchen.  This play on ceiling heights is also responsible for the huge amount of natural light that is able to flood in with high set windows opening the house to the light and allowing it to bounce around and reach deep within the home.

Throughout, probably the most noticeable feature is the strong use of primary colours. Set against the soft tones of the concrete and timber, the colours are in no way garish or kitsch, but instead contrast with the natural materials and landscape beyond and creates a focal point for the interior narrative. Snow or sun, I certainly wouldn’t mind escaping to the country if it was to this place!

Story by Brendan Guy, follow him on Instagram MrBrendanGuy

Images: Paul Crosby