The Exploded House
Written by Jennifer Heyns
Ever been so messy that it looked like the inside of your house exploded? Global Architectural Development (GAD) wants to take that concept to a whole new level. The new Exploded House in Turkey suggests that maybe structural tension and disconnect aren’t such a bad idea after all.
Interestingly, this design came about when the homeowners realized they would be violating Turkey’s building codes if they built one single connected structure. So, in order to keep the house under the 75-square-meter size limit, GAD constructed this amazing home as three separate buildings, giving the whole place an “exploded” appearance. Each separate structure has its own clear function (living, sleeping and dining), but it all comes together in the home’s architectural style and large glass atrium.
Most noticeable are the huge swimming pools incorporated into the house’s design. Two of the buildings are topped with separate pools that serve as rain collection reservoirs. Water flows from the higher roof to the one slightly below, and then circulates back around, cooling the entire home’s interior.
A third pool is set at ground level and can be accessed directly from a patio that emerges from the house’s main living area. The patio surrounding this pool also extends, by ramp, down to another separate structure that serves as the guest house, which is hidden from view to residents of the main explosion areas.
The interior focuses on the surrounding landscape, with large windows in every section, some of which are able to slide open from the ground up for sea breeze air circulation and further natural cooling.
The floor plan is fairly open and the furnishings are a throwback to the 1970s – but in a good way.
GAD swapped the typical synthetic, bright materials for minimalist natural ones. Exploded House blends with its surrounding landscape and the area’s style. To enhance this effect even more, the rooftop pools are designed to act as a reflective barrier. If viewing the home from above, the pools conceal much of the structure, showing in return a mirror of the landscape around it. Awesome.
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I like the concept of separate zones or buildings, particularly when on sloping blocks. They can look brilliant, as this does. The interior is awesome too!