RED residence
RED Residence is an award winning 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom house with associated external works which was recognised by the International Property Awards in 2019. RED is located in Inch Marlowe, Christ Church, on the South coast of Barbados. Studio Blue Architects met the clients for the first time in December 2015 and the project overall was completed late 2018.
Initially, the client had completed the purchase of their land, and was looking for an Architect to design their retirement home. They had seen another contemporary house called “Inch Cubed” just across the street from their lot, which Studio Blue had designed prior. The clients spoke with the owner of “Inch Cubed”, and were duly pointed in Studio Blue’s direction- and so started a great project.
In accordance with the brief given, the dwelling had to be minimalist/contemporary in style, blur the boundaries between the inside and outside, maintain the privacy and security of the client and be positioned on the plot of land to maximise views of the sand dunes and the ocean.
The completed house is elevated on a concrete plinth to facilitate views over the sand dunes and to avoid flooding. Sitting on top of this plinth is a composition of cantilevered floor plates separated by aluminium fenestration that intersects with a dark grey circulation volume and a Red stair tower which provides a vertical accent. The house turns its back on the hot afternoon sun from the west and embraces the ocean views and cooling Trade winds from the East.
Because the site is close to the sea and located in a highly corrosive environment due to the sea air, this presented challenges whilst making design choices; all materials, fittings and fixtures had to be chosen with this in mind. Another challenge Studio Blue faced was resolving the fenestration on the eastern and southern sides of the first floor bedrooms to cater for natural ventilation, climate control, hurricane protection, privacy and security in various combinations.
Sustainability on the build was tackled on multiple fronts. The open plan layouts and louver windows allow for natural day-lighting and passive cooling through cross ventilation, removing the need for mechanical air conditioning. The building’s form of cantilevered balconies and roof slabs maximise shading and minimize heat gain. Energy requirements are further reduced with efficient LED light fixtures, a solar water heater and a 5Kw photovoltaic system. Paint finishes utilised in the building were selected for their zero VOC content. Water consumption is addressed by efficient faucets and low/dual flush toilets. Rainwater is harvested and re-used for irrigation and other secondary purposes, and the landscaping utilises native, drought tolerant species suited to the environs and an array of fruit trees and edible plants which all contribute to a comfortable microclimate.
Studio Blue Architects said: “This project is very important to our Studio, as it has allowed us to really showcase contemporary and sustainable design, which is not very common in residential projects in Barbados. And to be recognised in the IPA 2019 is an important achievement for a small practice like ourselves, as it confirms that we can deliver a quality product which is recognised on an international level.”