Punta Cana House / Marine Building + Batalano Building

Text description provided by the architects. Casa Punta Cana is signed by the Mareines Arquitetura office, contemporary and open to the landscape of the Caribbean. Located in the Dominican Republic, its structure was designed to question the notions of ‘inside’ and ‘outside’. Briefing the clients, an American family who insisted on being involved in all phases of the project, was of a single-storey house, comfortable, large, with several rooms of equal size. The organic structure, completely open to the beach and street, provides greater natural light and ventilation to the “breeze house”, as the office calls it. With unconventional and parallel architectural lines, the project was designed in terms of sustainability and with technological differences that have not yet been used in the country. In addition, with the exception of one chair, all the decor and furniture are from Brazilian designers, adored by clients, and in discreet colors. In the north building there are six independent wings, each with its own view and gardens, and the south building houses the dining room, bar, kitchen, games room, gym and all the services of the house. In the center is a “family room” that is intended to be a meeting point for family members living in different countries and guests.

In addition to a glass cylinder floating among the water gardens, the entire residence is a linear roller coaster with a large balcony. There are 700 square meters between the sensations of openness and closure, elevations and depressions, shapes, and diverse landscapes in all directions. Walking through a house is indeed a rewarding experience. You have spaces that close, open, and welcome you. The ‘tears’ create a sense of not knowing where the house ends, and the garden begins, and vice versa. The organic form complements the visual, with water entering the water mirrors and striking The light from the pitched roof”, points out Ivo Marins. The only exception to a one-storey house request is the roof garden, which complements and rises with the ground gardens, adding to the liveliness of the project. Also in this space is a lookout point with sea views and an outdoor party area. The solutions form High-tech is another highlight: the Dominican Republic, like most countries in the Caribbean, is prone to hurricanes with winds of up to 300 kilometers per hour. Therefore, to produce items that meet these requirements, digital CAD – CAM (assisted design) technology has been applied. computer/computer-aided manufacturing), and used in countries in Europe and North America.

The fully plywood double-bent glued timber structure, which forms the balcony and roof of the pavilions, has been digitally fabricated in France, as have the steel columns that support it. The glass frames and the riveted copper roof were made in Spain, and the panels and mats needed for perfect sealing and thermal insulation of the set came from the United States. In addition, to avoid invading the sea in the event of a hurricane, the land was raised and compressed by 2 metres, in Kalisz, relative to the original level. All structural joints are internal, making it difficult to oxidize, which is common in coastal areas. However, the roof made of natural copper was designed to change color according to the movement of the sea, which adds beauty to the project. The lighting is mostly natural, with “tears” in the house, which change as the day goes on and the light “travels” through the rooms. The living tapestry-like landscape combines Brazilian work on the vertical walls with Dominican work in the horizontal garden.

“Working with digital manufacturing technology changes adjustments from centimeters to millimeters,” explains Ivo. “Despite its lack of industries, the Dominican Republic is full of outstanding professionals who perform high-quality work.” “The local labor made a huge difference in the finishing of the project. In addition to the perfection of the site, the construction of the foundation and the concrete walls that received steel and wood structures, and the artistic quality of the finishes in stone, wood and copper that dominate the aesthetic composition of the house was not neglected”, highlights Matthew Van Beneden.