Words: Alex Woodhall
Casa Brutale went viral last year. You probably saw it somewhere on your Facebook or Twitter feed as you idly scrolled by, stopping to take a look, maybe throwing it aside in sheer disbelief and for the hyperbolic headline. That virality is what has got the project off the ground and is no longer an architect’s pipe dream. The mansion that’s chiselled into a cliff and shuns humanity for a view of nothing but sea and sky is now being built.
As it turns out OPA (Open Platform for Architects) constructed this concept from the ground up as a means of attracting eyeballs online, according to founding partner Laertis-Antonios Ando Vassiliou, [via ArchDaily]:
“The whole project was designed for almost 4 months (March to July 2015) in order to “break the internet”. We wanted to create a sensation in every possible way and through this project to actually showcase our platform as this project describes fully our aesthetics and design philosophy.”
A site has even been chosen for the show-stopping build, a mountain in Lebanon at an elevation of 1600 meters. Made of concrete, glass, and wood, Casa is accessed by an elevator or sweeping staircase, there’s a swimming pool on the roof which shimmers down below the facade; mimicking the effect of wall to wall water.
Of course with natural erosion, Casa likely has a shelf life, literally, but despite that a willing client has been found to fund it, after rounds of emails “from developers, trust funds, potential clients and some scams that were all interested in realising the project.” No specific details on who that is exactly though. With the now success story of Casa tucked under their belt, the firm has now released details of its follow up to the build: The Lux Aeterna.
Similarly embedded into the landscape, Lux Aeterna, is, however, a church, one that will give one hell of backdrop in any wedding photos.
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.
