ROOFING , CLADDING & FACADES
WHERE ROOF AND FAÇADES MERGE
SWISSPEARL LARGO CARAT BLACK OPAL 7025 ( R ). APARTMENT BUILDING ACME , SOFIA , BULGARIA
Located on the foothills of Vitosha Mountain in Sofia , ACME is a residential complex consisting of three buildings accommodating eleven apartments . The architectural concept focuses on the design of the roofs , which merge seamlessly with the façades and are treated like a fifth façade .
Using the natural slope of the terrain , the architects have stepped the residential buildings as the shared garden cascades down the slope . Referencing the freestanding pitched-roof houses in the neighbourhood , E-Arch Studio Architects have articulated the roofs as symmetrical pitches . The wider building has a lower pitch than the two narrower building volumes . Though the forms differ slightly , the buildings clearly form an ensemble as their material treatment and detailing are identical . By seamlessly continuing the Swisspearl façade cladding as a roof covering , and eschewing an eaves overhang , the archetypal form of “ house ” has been abstracted and the scale of the houses visually reduced . The third-story windows merge into inclined roof skylights , thus emphasising the continuation of the upper floor with the roof .
While the upper two stories and roof are clad in Swisspearl panels ( Carat ( R ) for roof application ), the lower two floors are clad in sienna-coloured masonry . The smooth , dark Swisspearl panels create a strong visual contrast with the russet textured brick façades . By recessing the façades on the end façades , intimate covered loggias have been created . Each apartment has a loggia that overlooks the surrounding garden landscape or Vitosha Mountain rising behind .
“ Using the natural slope of the terrain , the architects have stepped the residential buildings as the shared garden cascades down the slope .
Generous planes of glazing break up the façade planes and floods the interior of the apartments with natural light . The reinforced concrete roof structure was protected first with a waterproof , thermal insulating layer and above covered with highperformance Swisspearl fibre cement panels installed on aluminium profiles . Some of the positive attributes of Swisspearl panels include their high level of fire and frost resistance , and the ability for them to be recycled .
To find out more or to order a free sample , please contact facades @ gb . swisspearl . com or visit www . swisspearl . com .
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