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Location: Wiesbaden. Germany Year of construction: 1992 Cliente: Galerie Z. B.. Frankfurt Architects: Studio Granda Photography: Norbert Miguletz |
It is very difficult, if not impossible, to define the Aktion Poliphile project, undertaken by Studio Granda, in a single word. Actually two would be sufficient, although three are really needed for its minimal description: symbolism, beauty, and utility. In a sense, providing a definition means making a selection and, for greater accuracy, retaining the word that in itself contains the whole meaning of the object. Not one of the words “symbolism," “aesthetics," or “practicality” is sufficient in itself to define Aktion Poliphile. Its constant interaction and interdependence, causes and effect at the same time, form an indissoluble unit that does not have, or need, a word to define it.
The project comprises two houses built on the fertile land of north Wiesbaden in Germany: the Saturn house and the Delia house. Saturn symbolizes the idea of the paradox of time, that creates only to go on to destroy what it has created. Saturn’s descendant, Delia, is the symbol of the pure goodness of youth, energy, and health. Delia represents modern times. Her dark side, judiciously concealed, reflects the somber, sad, and torpid coldness of the neighboring Saturn, the two houses forming their own private planetary system.
Saturn is solid and impenetrable. Its roof is lead, and the walls, without any characteristic features or details, are plastered dark red. No one passes through its protective wall, through its windowless faces, blind to the street.
Coming from the northern woods, Delia sits neatly in the extended palm of her ancestor.
The house’s cedarwood walls are bleached by the sun.
View of the climbing plane, Trained by strips of wood held down with iron cables.
Detail of the finish of the walls of the Delia house, formed by the juxtaposition of strips of cedarwood arranged horizontally.
A bridge links the Saturn house with the Delia house, at the point where the wall from the entrance to the boundary ends, descending to ground level to connect them.
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A garden on the flat roof of the Delia house offers a secret refuge with extensive views over the long valley. |
Following pages: General view of the staircase joining the first floor with the second floor in the Delia house.
Detail of the kitchen in the Delia house, protected by frosted-glass sliding doors.
A beam provides a finishing touch to the low wall of the stairwell.
The black floor tiles and iron details combine with the omnipresent wood and white interior walls of Delia.