Creative&Professional

A-One Construction

"In the days before modernist architects tried to reinvent the medium, many buildings had a deep-rooted coherence of technique, material, craft, space, decor… but these aren't always the brightest, lightest or easiest options," says Schoenfelder, adding, "most buildings benefit equally from shadows, the mass, and the depth of surfaces." That's the underlying principle behind the unconventional but rugged simplicity of the house. The material used for construction makes it clear. "The walls are clay brick covered in lime plaster, with a hand-applied finish that results in a slightly uneven surface that's cool to the touch," says Schoenfelder. The rooms are small, the walls thick, and the staircase to the mezzanine seems to be organically built into the walls. Contrary to popular trends, the living room is upstairs, while the bedrooms are on the ground floor. Like the rest of the house, the bathrooms—with their Jaquar fittings—have been tastefully appointed.