We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer iñaki leite about their original and creative House design work. iñaki leite is an award-winning architectural designer, that makes our world a better place with their original house works.
iñaki leite ("IL") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Dezanove House. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
IL : The Dezanove House takes its inspiration from its surroundings. The coastline and is scattered with mussel farms: neatly arranged platforms made of Eucalyptus wood, off which ropes are hung with the oysters and mussels for which the region is famed. The house, tucked into the rocky coastline with sea views, borrows from the traditions of its surroundings using this same Eucalyptus wood and it's tecnology. Integrating the local culture was very important in the design. I was keen to ensure a sense of harmony between building and setting.
IL : Definitely the integration of the building in the surrounding was the most important achievement, not only chromatically but culturally, to achieve relaxing spaces for the house. The recycled nature of the wood, taken from former mussel farms, gives the building a rough and natural aesthetic, made contemporary by the glass and concrete. The same materials run throughout the inside of the home, but the wood used is a smoother, warmer cut. Wooden ceilings give the space a cosy atmosphere, and pay homage to its coastal surroundings.
IL : I will try to develop new solutions for the integration on the designs using traditional materials, traditional technologies and also the traditional shapes too.
IL : Actually it was a bit long as the process did not come without its challenges. It was about 12 months long because the sloping plot, rocky setting and newly enacted planning restrictions all threatened to make the project very challenging. The design is always influenced by the site. But, the planning regulations were very restrictive in the area, because it’s on the waterfront. At the same time, the site is pretty short, so I had to optimize the design to the constraints: in positioning and volume. However we were able to overcome these difficulties, and even use them to our advantage, resulting in a house that is sheltered by the rock and open to the sea.
IL : I grew up in this particular coastal area of the country, so several ideas about the shape, use, materials and location were just coming up very naturally.
IL : It is always my approach to look the surroundings the first thing to understand all the dynamics and flows in all levels, including economy and culture.
IL : The way of the use of the reclaimed wood and the shape of the old booths of the "bateas" turned into a house. There is no precedent in the area at all.
IL : Actually the name is exactly the postal number of the house on the street but in galician language.
IL : I've used to work with plenty of sketches by hand, as well as physical models. Additionally I've used 3D modelling for the client to understand in very detail the whole design in advance prior to the site building.
IL : I believe it is not only the use of the reclaimed wood but the richness of the space because of the material, especially in the interior of the house. Also integrating the local culture was very important.
IL : I've designed only on my own even the key furniture of the house: kitchen, kitchenette, dining, and more… And it was all designed accordingly to the design of the house and its materials.
IL : Energy efficiency and sustainability were also key to the design. In addition to using recycled materials, the home is highly efficient through ground source heat pump for underfloor heating and cooling, as well as mechanical ventilation with recovery system and three heat exchangers (evaporative patio, canadian shaft and fireplace exchanger).
IL : The old booths on the "bateas" are from the 70's or early 80's, so I've used my own memories as child for the definition of the shape. The very detail was the result of several visits and research about the local fishing industry of the "bateas", where I've collected the reclaimed wood too.
IL : My friends really and the reaction of some people about the design of the house push me to submit it for this award.
