Excerpt: Casa da Sombra, a project by Laurent Troost Architectures, showcases an architectural solution designed specifically for a client with photophobia. The residence features concrete walls designed to filter and prevent direct sunlight from entering the interior of the house. This innovative approach not only maximizes natural light while minimizing glare but also creates a serene ambiance that fosters a sense of tranquility.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] Designed for a couple with a daughter, the “Casa da Sombra” (Shade House), created by Laurent Troost Architectures, showcases an architectural solution tailored to the needs of the client, who suffers from photophobia – extreme sensitivity to light.
To prevent direct sunlight from entering the interior of the house, concrete walls were designed to filter the light before it reaches a glass wall positioned behind internal and external gardens located within cutouts in the concrete structure. Between the garage and the living room, as well as on the upper floors, the suite gardens offer views of the street and surrounding area while ensuring the necessary shading and preserving the site’s trees.
On the upper floor, one of the residents’ requests was for soft morning natural light to enter the master suite through small openings. In the afternoon, light is filtered to gently illuminate the daughter’s suite. The double concrete walls above the pool and in the upper gardens feature openings that allow air circulation, ensuring thermal comfort.
Inside, the living room was designed to integrate seamlessly with the garden at the property’s boundaries, maximizing the sense of spaciousness. A wooden panel occupies the southern side of the floor plan, providing privacy for specific areas such as the family’s piano space while also housing access to the upper floor, kitchen, and barbecue area. The remaining sections of the living room were kept open, enhancing the visual connection with the outdoors.
To accommodate the absence of direct sunlight in the house, floor-level lighting fixtures were installed in the living room, hallways, and bedrooms on the upper floors, ensuring proper illumination and comfort for the resident.
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