We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Cristina Menezes about their original and creative Residential design work. Cristina Menezes is an award-winning architectural designer, that makes our world a better place with their original residential works.
Cristina Menezes ("CM") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Pocket House Residential . Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
CM : The main principle of this project is how to live well in a small space. For living small, it is very important, the total domain of the spatial proportions. The idea to use a container shipping to build the house is to guarantee the mobility and thinking green. The sustainability it is very important nowadays. The inspiration behind the design is the concepts of the client's lifestyle!
CM : The main focus of this project was the completely integratiion of the house with the nature surround the house! I would like to achieve the unity between indoor with outdoor!
CM : I would like to share with everyone the importance of this award that achieved an excellence label for the design...like a signature exclusive of excellence!
CM : Just one month.
CM : As I said before, it was one desire of my client, to have a house inside a shipping container to guarantee the mobility of his house.
CM : Nowadays, my client is using this house on the weekend !
CM : I think , most people enjoy this type of home with all enough to live , fully integrated with nature!
CM : The nature and my client are my main sources of inspiration!
CM : This house is for one or at most two people live !
CM : The most important advantage of this project is the exclusiveness of the entire project , according to the small dimensions of space and the detailed study of the furniture to be multifunctional and proportional to the space !
CM : The name " Pocket House" was chosen because the house is very small and also means you can take it wherever you want !
CM : I used Auto-cad and Revit.
CM : The unity of all project items with the concept of simplicity and respect for the small space !
CM : Only the team of my studio : architects, designers and engineers
CM : To use renewable energy a Solar Energy System, with photovoltaic panels, was incorporated into the design of Pocket House. To reduce the house energy consumption it was used thermo-acoustic treatment with glass wool between the steel wall of the container and the wood coating. It was used nano paint on metal parts that creates a protective layer that repels dirt and protects the paint against environmental damage. Thus, with this innovative technology, the spent of water for cleaning and the ink consumption for maintenance are minimized.
CM : I know that our planet is asking respect. So I try to do my part . I conceptualize my projects , with all due respect to our planet and society ! We do not live alone!
CM : It is a innovative way to live!The greatest challenge of this project was the respect with a small space.Starting with the choice of the coatings with the right way to build it; the choice of the right furniture with a restricted budget - 70.000,00 Euros - and a short time to build! And, without forgetting, the principles of sustainability and mobility - main concepts of the client's lifestyle!
CM : I decided to send this design for this important international design competition, because I have seen and read about it. So I thought, I'll try to win a prize in A'Design Award . And now , here I am ! Very happy with the prize!
CM : It is a complex form to register the design, but now I learned more about the categories, edition, etc. and for the next year I will do my best!
CM : Thank you for all experience! I am very happy and proud with this important award!
