RIBBON TECTONICS

Project Details

Project Description

Throughout architecture history, there is always great interest in developing design vocabularies that reflect the prevailing material technology and culture. During the 1920s, the ribbon window became a recurring design language of architects such as Le Corbusier to demonstrate the new found freedom in designing uninterrupted openings in building facades as a result of their independence from the post and beam reinforced concrete structures within. This allowed the creation of unprecedented visual experience of the exterior for the occupants of his designs such as Villa Savoye.

The design intent of the house is an attempt to survey the current catalogue of glass technology and its application types by adopting them in various permutations to derive a contemporary design vocabulary of the ribbon fenestrations. The different types of glass such as float glass, tempered glass and laminated glass have extended to building applications like the curtain wall system that spans across levels, glass railing that performs as a barrier from falling, skylight and clerestory that allows natural light penetration into the interior. These ribbon fenestrations weave around the building facade to introduce unique apertures of various aspect ratios for different views of the exterior.

The animated labyrinthine tectonics of the ribbon fenestrations were articulated in the design of other elements like the house number on the entry gate and the boundary walls.