Tatiana Bardem

advisor

Politecnico di Milano, Polytechnic University of Milan, School of Design

Russian

Architecture more

Dear Emanuel Mares,

First of all, I would like to congratulate you for your project and all the work you have done for participation in this competition!
The project clearly manifests your desire to bring the intervention to the local landscape conditions in the way which would introduce nature-inspired shapes and greenery, roughness of materials, but, at the same time, making the modern intervention evident by using metal and concrete structures. I find it interesting and right that deepened volumes of buildings penetrate the slopes of the landscape and appear to be more visible from the water than from the land. This definitely increases the quality of the view on the bay from the villas and other spaces on the land. The continuous path along the water and going up on the building roof enriches the walking experience and diversify the views.

Your courage in introduction of stylized steel structures of trees is appreciated. However, in my opinion, they look a bit too much invasive and too active in relation to the natural landscape vegetation of the site and the bay view. Perhaps, you could review this solution a bit in favor of something more discreet, something what would direct the attention to the natural environment around and emphasize the beauty of it, just like you did with the covered volumes of the buildings.

Regarding the integrated buildings. I would suggest to think about how it would be possible to simplify the shapes of some them at least to reach higher quality of the special organization inside. It’s visible that your approach was to use the volumes in order to create the small squares and entrances to the embarkment, but in some cases the shaping tends to be quite incomprehensible. You may consider inserting the volumes into the terrain even more if its useful for simplifying the shapes of the deepened parts. It will also be more efficient from the constructional and engineering points of view. Moreover, I would suggest you to modify the metal structures for greenery and canopies in order to make them more laconic and less outstanding. You have a lot of complicated shapes, no need to complicate it even more. Otherwise, you are risking to lose the “rock-inspired” identity and have it as a mess of shapes.

Try to also think about some remarkable scenarios of activities/experiences which your project can offer, also about developing the embarkment border with water, maybe some places next to water for admiring the view, bike/jogging lanes, more vegetation there, etc. That would strengthen your concept even more and open some other sides of your creative idea.

Overall, congratulations with your work and inspired project with clear thoughts behind the concept. I wish you good luck and keep up with a good work!