Project: Through Home
Architecture: Jim Caumeron Design
Contractors: San Gruppo Builders
Structural Engineer: Anabel Iluzada
Location: San Fernando, Philippines
Area: 300 m²
Year: 2024
Photo Credits: Photo by r–vis
The Through Home, crafted by Jim Caumeron Design, was created for a billiards-loving doctor and his two daughters seeking solace from the city. Located in a gated community in San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines, the design expands the perception of space on a modest lot. Inspired by the success of the Viewpoint House project, the studio focused on minimal materiality while maximizing spatial potential. By embracing through-ness in various aspects—space, views, light, ventilation, connectedness, and interaction—the design achieved a calm and liberating ambiance.
Design Concept
The concept began by reimagining the conventional enclosed structure, removing two opposite walls to foster spatial continuity. This arrangement, akin to a stack of alternating planes, informed the layout across different levels, tailored to the site’s orientation and requirements.
Ground Level
At ground level, outdoor boundaries were delineated by enclosing fence walls, mandated by community regulations. The entrance, aligned with the concrete fence, offers a welcoming vista of the accent plant beyond, exposing the rear setback space and rear wall. The living areas seamlessly extend to the outdoors, with the front lawn and formal dining space flanking either side. A double-height dining hall promotes ventilation through operable windows on the second floor, drawing air out. A continuous bench-like element integrates the swimming pool, enhancing the sense of expansiveness and connecting the living area with the father’s room. Glass walls foster connectivity between spaces, while operable windows promote cross ventilation throughout the house.
Upper Level
Upstairs, horizontal planes serve as room dividers or are segmented to create open spaces. Partial planes act as fins, controlling sun exposure along the hallway. The billiard hall features a pocket garden and a balcony offering views of the front lawn. A protruding cube houses the daughters’ common toilet and bathroom, softened by a facade of potted plants. This element, created by enclosing two planes, became an accent of the house’s front elevation. Lime-washed walls blur the distinction between interior and exterior, inviting residents to enjoy a living experience akin to a Jenga puzzle, with shifting light and airy atmospheres.
Summary
Through Home by Jim Caumeron Design embodies the principles of spatial continuity and through-ness, creating a serene and expansive living environment. The thoughtful design and minimal materiality ensure that the house not only meets the needs of its residents but also harmonizes with its surroundings.
