Tobogan House by Z4Z4 Architects
Roundhouse
At first glance this unusual structure in a suburban plot on the outskirts of Madrid looks more like an industrial installation than a family home. Closer inspection reveals a delightfully original house which combines indoor and outdoor living with a space-age edge.
The Tobogan House, designed by Spanish architectural firm Z4Z4, takes the form of a subterranean box with three huge drums suspended aloft by a metal structure. It is the multiple contrasts which makes this distinctive house so intriguing: the solidity of the lower ground floor living space versus the lightness of the cylindrical rooms floating above, also the transition from the garden to the living space to the indoor greenhouse and to the garden again. The cylindrical volumes are wrapped in a skin of semi-translucent corrugated sheets, filtering the harsh sunlight during the day as well as providing a sense of uniformity to the exterior of the building. At night the house comes alive, the suspended drums casting an ethereal glow like a grounded spaceship.
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Product Inspiration
The modern industrial look is all about celebrating the raw integrity of structure and materials. These features are well highlighted with sleek and minimalist furniture such as the Helsinki table from Desalto, the Emea stool from Alki and the Kaschkasch floor mirror from Menu.
The super modern OLED lights from Blackbody work wonderfully in a modern industrial design scheme. We particularly like the flexible I.Rain suspension light, which can be customised to create unique designs. Combine that with the cool, understated Core table lamp from New Works and the quirky Olo table lamp from Moustache to create a distinctive look.
The slick and slightly quirky accessories from Frederik Roije would work perfectly in the Tobogan House. Try the Smokestack fireplace in the courtyard, the Storylines shelf in the bedroom and the Metrobowl New York on the coffee table.
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