UC House

The residence was a real challenge for the Jacobsen Arquitetura office. The project would be on Long Island, located in southeastern New York State, in the United States. This location imposed new requirements in terms of adaptation to local climatic conditions, considering both the region’s characteristic cold and rainy winters and warm and humid summers. Local construction techniques and cultural habits also were aspects that made the development of the project more complex – and stimulating.

The plot, in particular, is situated in a quiet and residential section of Long Island, allowing the residence to take advantage of the relationship with the pleasant forested areas in its surroundings. It was suggested to the office that we imprint our architectural identity on the project, taking into account elements such as structural levity, natural light, connection to the exterior and privacy.

Thus, we sought harmonic integration with the neighborhood in volumetric terms, so that the residence would not stand out in relation to neighboring constructions and was adapted to the local climate through the choice of materials and specification of infrastructure systems. As a project premise, we started from the creation of two independent constructions – instead of a large house – so that the volumetry was distributed evenly over the plot, taking advantage of the slight elevation in relation to the street level.

In addition, the architectural program was designed to address the needs of the large family, designing adequate spaces for the sociability of the residents, including spaces for recreation, exercises, sports, work, studies and execution of household chores. The project would include a master suite, six bedrooms, two guest rooms with their own access and two independent living areas – one for the use of the family, and another for more formal and social receptions.

The spatial configuration of the house is composed of two volumes integrated internally by a foyer that allows the entrance of natural light and, externally, by a water body. The volumes created make it possible to distinguish the intended uses for the house: formal and relaxed. Separated from the other rooms is the master suite, on the first floor, vertically integrated with the living room, located on the ground floor, solemn in character. The ambience contains a large bookshelf, meeting table and minibar. We developed the aesthetic language for the space through the choice of finishings, furniture and an impressive chandelier.

On the other hand, the other sector of the house offers more informal uses. On the first floor are the six suites for family use, as well as the two guest rooms with separate access. On the ground floor, we have created a more relaxed living space, with the presence of a large L-shaped sofa, integrated into the dining room, gourmet kitchen and covered balcony. The volume also includes a reading room and small office, as well as spaces for sports, especially the basketball court, small courtyard, gym room and deck. The technical and service areas are located on the lower floor.

The relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces was a feature we sought to include throughout the project. We conduct this integration through the creation of open but covered spaces, contiguous to the living and services areas. Large glazed planes contribute to ensuring the residence’s thermal comfort while achieving good lighting conditions. The distribution of light cracks at strategic points of the project – such as in the family social area and on the work counter of the gourmet kitchen itself – collaborate to assure proper lighting of the project, emphasizing eye contact with the surrounding nature. In turn, the privacy of the bedrooms is guaranteed from the landscape arrangement that is part of the setting.