The retreat house is designed for an ex-convict. Being released out of the jail, the character is not ready for the community. The main idea was to create a retreat house with high sense of privacy and has a strong connection to nature. Besides, there is a clear separation between the house and the jail in which the circulation is made free and smooth throughout the house.

 

The site where the retreat house is located provides the character a high level of privacy. it hides the character from the public without stealing away the view of the nature.

 

The building consists of three levels of rectangular box stacked together. Orientation of the volume in the house is hardly arbitrary, but is determined by the views of the surrounding landscape and also the sun path. In the morning, the character is able to enjoy the sunlight in the bedroom. On the top level, the roof of the lower volume becomes outdoor terrace. Basically it is to create a flat land on a sloping terrain that allows the character to walk around on slope virtually.

 

It has an ascending arrangement of public and private spaces but overall it is a hidden place with high level of privacy. Top level comprises of library while middle one is living room and open air dining area and kitchen. There is hardly enclosed spaces to have the character open to the outside. There is a continuous movement between the outside and the inside. as you move through the building providing for a remarkable spatial experience as you move through the private public and semi private levels of the house.  

The entrance of the house is not clearly distinguishable at first glance. It involves a journey towards the house as a reminder of the past the character had been through.

 

The wooden batten allows the light to enter to the interior The light quality is gentle and soft, protecting the house from direct sunlight that is too harsh. It not only creates a visual connection but guarantees privacy while generating ambiguous limits.