When its shutters are closed, this building's facade is an all-white picture of minimalism. But each shutter opens to reveal a candy-colored backside that hints at a deeper story within.
Designed by locally based Romera y Ruiz Architects, the building is a public housing project located on Gran Canaria, the second most populated island in the Canary Islands. Inside the development, each apartment's windows open onto three narrow, brightly colored courtyards—blue at the center, green to the side, and ochre at the back—that engage each apartment in a richly hued dialogue.
Photographs courtesy of Romera y Ruiz and Architizer, except where noted.
Above: When the shutters are closed, the all-white building reflects sunlight away from its surface. Each window is located in a small recess, meant to shade the glass from pounding direct sunlight and from hurricane-strength winds, when they occur.
Above: When the facade shutters are open, their colorful painted backsides show hints of the three interior courtyards within.
Above: Light and shadows redefine the courtyard spaces throughout the day. The windows in each apartment's circulation spaces open onto the green courtyard, meant to evoke a feeling of serenity.
Above: The blue courtyard is linked to the entrance spaces of each apartment; it's meant to provide a feeling of freshness and calm.
Above: The ochre-colored courtyard is linked only to bedrooms throughout the apartments. (Each apartment contains at least three bedrooms.) It appears black at night for sleeping, but the bright color is meant to inspire vitality and energy come morning.
Above: It's no accident that the courtyards are dark. Located in a very hot climate, they're meant to stay cool. All three are linked via passive ventilation methods.
Above: The entire development is designed to be a color-changing exploration, guiding residents through colorful vestibules, hallways, and slots of light. Here, ochre-colored light floods an interior stairwell. Photograph courtesy of Dezeen.
Above: The recessed, shuttered windows make the facade look pleated.
For more über-modern outdoor spaces, see Outbuilding of the Week: All-in-One Henhouse, Toolshed, and Art Gallery; Architect Visit: In India, Housing for Elephants and Their People; and on Remodelista, Extreme Repurposing in Sydney, Tin Shed Edition.
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