The Gozu House – A Green-Roofed Retreat Takes In The Beauty Of A Valley

Nowadays there seems to be an almost unanimous inclination towards designing and building houses that have a strong relationship with the outdoors and that usually features such as tall and wide windows, sliding glass doors, skylights or large patios and gardens have become common design elements. However, that doesn’t mean all modern and contemporary houses look alike.

On the contrary, there are some striking differences between them as architects and designers are constantly innovating and coming up with new ideas. Projects such as the Gozu House show us that there’s more than one way to make a home blend in with its surroundings.

This unusual layout allows each volume to be oriented towards a different set of views and also creates a clear distinction between them
This unusual layout allows each volume to be oriented towards a different set of views and also creates a clear distinction between them
The array of materials used throughout the project include metal, stone and pinewood. These are used both inside and outside
The array of materials used throughout the project include metal, stone and pinewood. These are used both inside and outside
The strong relationship between the house and its surroundings is expressed in various ways, including through a series of patios
The strong relationship between the house and its surroundings is expressed in various ways, including through a series of patios

The Gozu House is located in El Retiro, in Colombia. It sits at the edge of a plot which overlooks a big valley with outlines of mountains in the distance. It’s a 500 square meter home that was designed by OPUS. It was completed in 2015 and it’s a pretty special house for a variety of reasons. First of all, look at its form. This is not your average residence. The interior spaces are organized into two main volumes which are in fact two separate wings that meet at the center.

Skylights and glass ceiling sections serve to bring the spaces even closer to nature and to their surroundings
Skylights and glass ceiling sections serve to bring the spaces even closer to nature and to their surroundings
The palette of materials is pretty basic and rugged but that doesn't stop the house from being stylish
The palette of materials is pretty basic and rugged but that doesn’t stop the house from being stylish
The interior of the house is super cozy and very welcoming thanks to all the wood featured on the floors and ceilings
The interior of the house is super cozy and very welcoming thanks to all the wood featured on the floors and ceilings

One of the volumes contains the social areas of the house and is oriented towards East, offering some pretty amazing views of the valley. The other volume contains the private spaces and is open to the forest which allows it to offer an increased sense of privacy. These two volumes are connected by a central space which contains the entrance. They form a rather unusual floor plan, giving the house an almost V-shaped look. On top of that, the house has a green roof which allows it to better blend in with its natural surroundings.

The social area is a combination of lounging and dining spaces with simple furniture and well-placed task lighting
The social area is a combination of lounging and dining spaces with simple furniture and well-placed task lighting
A common deck with a pool built into it allows the inhabitants to enjoy the outdoors without adventuring too far from the living spaces
A common deck with a pool built into it allows the inhabitants to enjoy the outdoors without adventuring too far from the living spaces
Beautiful views of the valley can be enjoyed from the kitchen which has these large horizontal windows that also let in lots of sunlight
Beautiful views of the valley can be enjoyed from the kitchen which has these large horizontal windows that also let in lots of sunlight
The transitional spaces have their own way of being special. The skylights and the light sources are one example
The transitional spaces have their own way of being special. The skylights and the light sources are one example
All the important aspects of the house's design have been defined in relation to the surroundings and the specific location and orientation of the structure
All the important aspects of the house’s design have been defined in relation to the surroundings and the specific location and orientation of the structure
There's also a very fluid and seamless transition between the various areas of the house
There’s also a very fluid and seamless transition between the various areas of the house
The kitchen lacks wall-mounted cabinetry but has its own way of being storage-efficient
The kitchen lacks wall-mounted cabinetry but has its own way of being storage-efficient