In particular I like the relationship between the stone wall and the wedge shaped roof. The proportions overall are superb, as is the rhythmic layout of objects along the circulating wall.

I am always interested in circulation over water, especially when it is associated with ritual meaning (as it always is in the architecture of Oscar Niemeyer, for example). Reference to a folk tale is made in the description, and I would have loved to have heard what that is?

Some of the details seem like they could have gone a bit further. The use of corrugated is terrific, unexpected in this architecture, and nicely executed. However, the fenestration looks cheap in some places, most of all in the guest tower. The main shot, showing the stone wall and a corten cube pierced by two windows really accentuates the awkward juxtaposition between good architecture, mostly nice materials, and these windows.

Also, I am left wondering if there aren’t too many materials. A more restrained palette of corten and corrugated might have been better, leaving off the horizontal wooden cladding. Personally, I just feel that this is one material too many, taking away from the formal power of the architecture.

It seems to me that a building of this quality deserves some kind of modern lighting system. For example, a neon illuminating strip embedded in the lip of the flying roof (a la Neutra) would have added immeasurably to the elegance of the building. There is nothing really wrong with what is here, but it could have been more with better lighting.

Lastly, I find the little fountain imbedded in the pool inappropriate. It isn’t enough of a fountain to really count. It is hard to understand what this detail is meant to contribute to the whole.

Overall, this is a terrific project. The studio is developing a design language that is very persuasive.

Terry Glenn Phipps
http://web.me.com/tgphipps