Haus Eleven 11
Haus Eleven is a newly built family residence that interprets contemporary minimalism through a rigorous and contemplative architectural language, inspired by the poetic restraint of Tadao Ando.
Designed by DAAA Haus under the direction of Keith Pillow for a modern family, the house unfolds as a pure volume where light, materiality, and proportion become the true protagonists of space.
The entrance is marked by a large pivot door that opens into a fully open-plan living area. Here, space reveals itself in a fluid and continuous sequence, dominated by a suspended central element: the Gyrofocus wood-burning fireplace. An icon of international design, it becomes both the visual anchor and symbolic heart of the home.
The project revolves around a clear concept of verticality and connection. A mass staircase in wood and exposed concrete links the living areas to the night quarters with effortless continuity, while a lift serves all levels of the house, including two basement floors. The first accommodates a generous open-space garage; the second is dedicated to staff quarters and a private gym, integrating functionality and comfort into a coherent domestic system.
Natural light is the generative principle of the architectural composition. Large openings on both sides of the building maximise daylight penetration, while carefully positioned vertical cuts and slit windows cast shifting shadows that transform the interiors throughout the day. This is an architecture that does not merely contain light — it orchestrates it.
Cast-in-situ exposed concrete defines the walls and stair platforms with an essential and honest material presence. This rigor is balanced by the introduction of warm natural woods and precise accents of black furnishings, enhancing contrast and reinforcing the spatial depth of the interiors.
The furniture selection reflects a pursuit of excellence and aesthetic coherence. Iconic yet minimal pieces by brands such as B&B Italia, Poliform, Agape, Vibia, Talenti, Buster & Punch and Tubes engage in dialogue with the architecture without overpowering it. Each element was chosen for its formal purity and its ability to contribute to a sophisticated yet restrained atmosphere.
A curated selection of contemporary abstract artworks completes the project, introducing an additional layer of narrative and transforming the house into a space that is not only inhabited, but culturally experienced.
Haus Eleven is an exercise in subtraction and precision — an architecture defined by discipline, light, and silence. Through its essentiality, it asserts a strong and timeless presence within the landscape of contemporary living.
