The Vector Architects with a barrel-shaped extension have given the Captain’s House a new look.
The damp and erosive nature of the seaside caused the unsafety of the existing structure and caused large-area water leakage during over 20 years of usage. It has become the main design issue to be solved. Furthermore, the captain hopes to add a third floor to the existing structure which could accommodate the new lifestyle of the family.
The intervention of the new concrete wall allows us to re-manipulate the layout to some extent. Both of the original bathrooms on the first floor and the second floor are moved from the sea-viewing side to the side close to the neighbor, so that the living room, dining room, and master bedroom get not only better view but also more natural light and fresh air.
Likewise, the locations and forms of openings are carefully re-examined. The new concrete window frame sticks out from the outside wall, which prevents excessive rainwater from penetrating the interior.
The architects decided to follow the vault shape as a structural form for the third floor. It reduces the possibility of water leakage to a minimum. Vault is directional. It connects two sides of the sea with dramatically different characters: one being the serene sea whereas the other one being the noisy port.
Under the vault, a large multifunctional space has been created where the texture of the fine formwork can clearly be seen on the rough exposed-concrete walls, thus becoming a design element in itself. As needed, this space can be used as accommodation for guests, a fitness area or a house chapel.
The transverse ends of the house on the upper level have been done in glass bricks through which diffused light falls into the house during the day and out of it in the evening. To the south, the concrete construction opens up in the form of a ceiling-height, glazed hatchway; this allows an unobstructed view over the neighboring buildings.
