F.LOT House: A Minimalist Masterpiece by Studio Toggle Architects

Winner of the Silver A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2017

The F.LOT house stands as a minimal composition of two seemingly floating masses intersecting at right angles. A dramatic 5-meter cantilever adds a unique character to the composition, while a 15-meter long pool floating above the parking bisects the longitudinal volume housing the main social spaces and living quarters. The open-plan ground floor is organized on either side of the pool, which serves as the focal point of the house. The planning is barrier-free, addressing the issues of privacy and openness.

Studio Toggle Architects drew inspiration from the challenge of catering to the client's need for a clean, open design while tackling the issues of privacy and shade from the desert heat. The form evolved from attempts to create dramatic self-shading volumes using perpendicular intersections and cantilevers. Clean lines and the use of white emphasize the purity of form, resulting in a design that shields itself from the desert sun by the virtue of its aesthetics.

The realization of the F.LOT house involved a reinforced concrete structure and lightweight concrete blocks for the building shell and structure. The cantilever and roof use a flatslab system. A polyurethane coated UV resistant smooth white plaster system was used for the exterior to withstand dust storms and sun, ensuring the whiteness of the volumes. The doors and windows use hidden embedded frameless profiles, while the public and semi-private spaces feature a white concrete floor finish. The private areas, including bedrooms, are paved with hardwood parquet.

The design process involved meticulous analysis of existing climate data, sun-path, and shadow analysis. The intent was to sculpt the volumes to provide favourable shade to the areas, mitigating the harsh desert sun. Ecotect and Rhino were used for conceptual climate analysis and massing, with the data carried over to ArchiCad for comprehensive BIM modelling. This approach allowed for a sleek, minimal design that employs technology to be sustainable and energy efficient.

Despite the challenges of achieving maximum openness and transparency in a harsh desert environment, and the cultural demand for a certain degree of privacy, Studio Toggle Architects succeeded in creating a design that balances these elements. The use of computer-aided design and BIM modelling helped to analyse heat gain and control it while maintaining large openings. The cantilevered volumes shade the spaces underneath, a feature not commonly seen in residential designs in the region. The design also cleverly hides components like frames, architraves, and skirtings to break the spaces down to their elemental purity.

With its unique properties and innovative design, the F.LOT house stands as a testament to the creative prowess and technical expertise of Studio Toggle Architects. The design was awarded Silver in the A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2017, a recognition given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation.