Articles by Bianca Valentina Roșescu

A concrete framework establishes the structure and rhythm of Frame House, a residence atop a hill in the Sonoma countryside. Rooted on a plateau above a forested canyon and vineyards, this structural grid maximizes the connection between the inside and out, allowing for natural light and direct access to the exterior from almost every room in the house. The loggia, which wraps three sides of the house’s perimeter, shades the living spaces below and provides access to expansive views from the second-level decks.

Grey Palace is located in the suburbs of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. It is surrounded by Paddy fields, which makes the view the main focus of this house. The house consists of two floors, which are zoned as public and private areas. The three primary areas pantry, dining and living room are located on the 2nd floor, while the private area is on the first. The purpose of the public area on the 2nd floor was to create an outdoor terrace living so that people can experience the surrounding views with a higher perspective. In spite of the public area being located on the 2nd floor, the main entrance was designed with a foyer that acts as a transition between public and private access.

Set amidst a fairly occupied locality, a few kilometers away from the National Highway that connects Kochi and Kozhikode, two coastal cities in the southern state of Kerala, the east-facing site was already sided by houses on its north-south boundaries, which became a deciding factor in the massing design of the residence. The residence was envisioned as three blocks with the majority of openings directed towards the central courtyard, shielded from the front road by a screen wall allowing the breezes to rustle in while establishing the required privacy.

Bodhgaya is where the Buddha is deemed to have received enlightenment. However, his influence in the surrounding areas has resulted in a trail of amazing Buddhist monuments and institutions. The skill of brick making in this region led to a distinctive architectural vocabulary of corbeled arches and brick vaults. The architectural vocabulary of the entire hotel draws inspiration from these historical references of Buddhist structures in the area – The Mahabodhi temple, the Buddhist Monasteries, Stupas…