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[birds chirping]
[gentle music]
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00:00:02,002 --> 00:00:03,417
[Narrator] Imagine,
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living in a home that
sits, secluded in a forest,
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on a 100 kilometer beach,
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or on top of a mountain.
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00:00:17,741 --> 00:00:22,746
[helicopter rumbling]
[gentle music]
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In this series, we
travel the globe
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to explore some of the
world's most secret homes,
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hidden away in truly
inspiring locations,
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00:00:41,524 --> 00:00:44,078
from jungle hideaways
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00:00:44,078 --> 00:00:46,770
and secluded mountain cabins--
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This is what it's all about.
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I love it!
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[Narrator] To
coastal sanctuaries,
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and desert retreats--
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It does something
to your soul. [laughs]
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[Narrator] We explore
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how these spectacular
homes were built--
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It was amazing because
it was lost for 70 years.
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[Narrator] And meet the
people who live in them.
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People come in and
say, "Oh wow." [laughs]
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No one's expecting it.
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[Narrator] As we discover
the world's most secret homes.
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[gentle, quiet music]
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The eastern townships
in Quebec, Canada,
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are two hours east of
the city of Montreal.
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The area is renowned
for its open countryside
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and pristine lakes.
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This is where city dwellers come
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for an adventure
in the wilderness.
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The mountains and cliffs
here are the perfect place
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to build a secret home
with the ultimate view.
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[gentle, quiet music]
[birds chirping]
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Teetering on the edge of
a 25 meter high cliff,
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this small but
perfectly formed home
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basks in the
surrounding wilderness.
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[gentle, inspirational music]
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It's called the Binocular Cabin.
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[birds chirping]
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The owner and mastermind behind
this daring clifftop home
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is Pierre-Andre.
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When I came here the first
time and I was walking,
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actually, I was doing
snowshoeing here,
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And I fell in love
with the view here.
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[Narrator]
Bewitched by the area,
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he decided to buy a plot.
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But, got a little bit more
than he bargained for.
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I didn't know I
was owning the cliff.
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I thought the cliff was
close to the land I owned,
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00:03:19,820 --> 00:03:22,132
but when we did the
survey to build the house,
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he told me, "Actually,
you own the cliff."
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Then the total project changed.
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I said, "Well, we have
to focus on the view."
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It was like if I was winning
like the lottery game.
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I was so happy.
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[Narrator]
Entranced by the view,
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Pierre decided to
design the house
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like a pair of binoculars,
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gazing out from the
side of the mountian.
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[birds chirping]
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[Pierre] I see it right there,
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was just like a vision we had.
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I knew that I wanted to
have a house with two cubes
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or two models with two
different functions.
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[Narrator] The house
covers 85 square meters.
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Two simple, black and wood cubes
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are linked by a covered walkway.
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The larger of the two
contains the living space,
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open-plan kitchen diner, which
leads out onto the terrace,
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and a bathroom.
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The smaller cube
contains two bedrooms.
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[gentle, orchestral music]
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Constructing the cabin,
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perched 25 meters
above the valley floor,
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was a huge engineering feat.
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00:04:47,804 --> 00:04:50,738
Pierre worked with
architect, Stephane Rasselet
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to overcome the
challenging terrain.
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There's not much
room for error.
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The idea was to get
as close as we could
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to the edge of that cliff,
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where we've got an 80 foot drop.
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And with the engineers, we
tried to go as far as possible
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without being dangerous.
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[gentle, quiet music]
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[Narrator] Standing
proud on the mountain,
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the Binocular Cabin conceals
an unusual design secret.
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On approach, it's
hidden from view.
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Since the road
is sort of curved,
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there's this effective surprise,
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we start seeing these
two, black volumes.
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There's this sensation
of not knowing
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really if it's a
house or a refuge,
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until we walk in,
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and then we walk into the
living room and then, wow.
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So there's this
element of surprise.
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[rhythmic, dramatic music]
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What surprised me
about the house is just,
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look at the view,
it's beautiful.
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You're so close to
the cliff, like this.
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You don't see the
ground from here.
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[rhythmic, dramatic music]
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[Narrator] To focus
on the panoramic views,
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Pierre installed windows
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made up of three,
giant panes of glass.
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The panes are connected
together with silicone.
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[gentle, dramatic music]
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The kitchen area is compact,
but fully functional,
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designed to take up
very little space.
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With a house that's less
then 1,000 square feet,
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you have to rethink
about things.
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Usually the stove,
usually, in North America,
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the standard is 30 inches.
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We tried to put, like a cooktop
that was smaller like this.
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And same for the dishwasher,
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the dishwasher is way smaller
than what we were used to.
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I really like things
to be invisible.
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You don't see the washer, dryer.
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Again, it's hidden, I really
like things that are hidden.
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[Narrator] This sleek finish
continues into the hallway.
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If you look at
the [mutters] here,
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you know, it has to feel
like, that this is a wall.
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[cheerful, upbeat music]
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[Narrator] The master bedroom
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sits in the smaller
of the two cubes.
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Minimalist in style, the eye
is drawn to the dramatic views.
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It's not like a huge bedroom,
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but it gives
everything that I need.
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Still facing south, you have,
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like with the big windows
and the view also.
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When you open the
curtain in the morning,
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you have the sunrise.
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And after that, the
sun is going like this.
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[gentle, dramatic music]
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[Narrator] Hovering
precariously close to the clifftop,
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Stephan pushed the boundaries
of this home over the edge.
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We built the house
as close as possible
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to the cliff as we could.
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This is as far as we could go,
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with anchoring the foundation.
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But then we wanted more.
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So what we did is we
extended out the whole house
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by about six extra feet.
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So, inside the house, we
really have the sensation
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of being over the
edge of the trees
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and floating into midair.
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We gave a slight angle
to the edge of the wall,
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on this side.
[dramatic music]
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The house sort of looks
like it's tipping over.
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This sort of emphasizes
this feeling of projection
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and [mutters] out the house.
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[gentle, dramatic music]
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[Narrator] Engineers
had to reinforce
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the foundations of
the cabin to enable it
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to protrude over the
cliff edge safely.
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They hammered the rock
with pneumatic drills
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00:09:33,365 --> 00:09:35,989
and drove metal piles
deep into the bedrock.
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They constructed
concrete blocks on top
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to form a firm base for
the cabin to sit on.
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[gentle music]
[birds chirping]
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The Binocular Cabin
offers a rare opportunity
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to commune with nature.
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Off the main cube
is a small terrace,
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strategically placed to
catch the evening light.
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One of the volumes is
more oriented westward
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and the other one is
more oriented eastward.
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It would, on one side, take
advantage more of the sunset
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and on the other side,
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that would take more
advantage of the sunrise.
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The house is nice, but
the terrace is pretty great
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when you just wanna
chill and have a drink.
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At the end of the afternoon,
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the sun is there
with the sunset.
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[gentle music]
[birds chirping]
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When it's minus 35,
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the dare is just to go barefoot
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and just go and jump in
the spa, with a drink.
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You're sitting in the spa
and you still have the view.
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I feel I'm pretty
fortunate, just to be here,
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just a little jewel
in all this nature.
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I'm pretty proud of it, what
we've done with the architect.
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Oh the view is just
like, yeah, it's amazing.
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[Narrator] This
house is a testament
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to Pierre's determination
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to create a wilderness retreat
with the ultimate view.
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[gentle, inspiring music]
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[gentle, dramatic music]
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5,200 kilometers east
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is the northern Portuguese
city of Marco de Canaveses.
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Sitting at the meeting
point of the River Douro
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and River Tamega,
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it's an area of
outstanding natural beauty.
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Clusters of houses here, nestle
into the steep hillsides,
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offering a tranquil
way of living.
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[birds chirping]
[quiet music]
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900 meters above sea level,
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00:12:02,514 --> 00:12:05,863
[gentle, inspirational music]
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00:12:05,863 --> 00:12:10,833
set deep into these hills,
and shrouded by dense forest,
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[gentle, inspirational music]
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lies a home that appears firmly
rooted into its surrounding.
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[gentle, inspirational music]
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This home is called
The Cloaked House
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because it is almost
completely enveloped by trees.
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[gentle, orchestral music]
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The owners of this house,
engineer, Rui Afiera
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00:12:41,139 --> 00:12:44,280
and his interior
designer wife, Alexandra,
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built this romantic hideaway
to escape from their busy lives
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in the nearby city of Porto.
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It took them a while to
find the perfect spot,
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but when they saw this, they
knew it was the right place.
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I called Rui and I say
that I love this place.
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00:13:01,228 --> 00:13:03,713
So we said, "Yes,
this is perfect,
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00:13:03,713 --> 00:13:06,820
"and if you are in
love, we buy it."
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00:13:06,820 --> 00:13:08,546
[Narrator] When creating
The Cloaked House,
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it was important for
Rui and Alexandra
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to keep this beautiful
part of the forest
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as unspoiled as possible.
217
00:13:15,829 --> 00:13:20,213
[Alexandra] This place
is magic, very, very magic.
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Everything is very,
very beautiful.
219
00:13:22,802 --> 00:13:26,978
You have harmony with nature.
220
00:13:26,978 --> 00:13:31,983
I feel the flowers live with
me and I live with the flowers.
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00:13:33,640 --> 00:13:35,849
[Rui] You mingle with nature.
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00:13:35,849 --> 00:13:38,921
It's what we do, we try
to mingle with nature.
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00:13:38,921 --> 00:13:39,784
Nothing more.
224
00:13:42,787 --> 00:13:45,686
[Narrator] The home is
built into the side of a hill.
225
00:13:45,686 --> 00:13:48,275
It's a mere 100 meters square
226
00:13:48,275 --> 00:13:50,588
and constructed
all on one level.
227
00:13:51,692 --> 00:13:53,453
There is a 30
square meter terrace
228
00:13:53,453 --> 00:13:57,802
that projects out six meters,
into the forest canopy.
229
00:13:57,802 --> 00:13:59,045
The terrace leads into
230
00:13:59,045 --> 00:14:02,427
the open-plan living
room and kitchen.
231
00:14:02,427 --> 00:14:03,808
At the far end of the house
232
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is a bedroom with
en suite bathroom.
233
00:14:06,984 --> 00:14:08,675
The terrace has sliding doors
234
00:14:08,675 --> 00:14:11,505
which enable the
space to be opened up.
235
00:14:11,505 --> 00:14:13,853
Niches have been
cut into the terrace
236
00:14:13,853 --> 00:14:15,993
to accommodate existing trees.
237
00:14:16,890 --> 00:14:20,238
[playful, upbeat music]
238
00:14:21,446 --> 00:14:24,242
[birds chirping]
[quiet music]
239
00:14:24,242 --> 00:14:28,902
This fantasy cabin is crafted
from wood, steel and glass
240
00:14:28,902 --> 00:14:31,456
to blend into its
natural environment.
241
00:14:33,838 --> 00:14:35,391
The open-plan living space
242
00:14:35,391 --> 00:14:37,738
is suspended over
the forest floor.
243
00:14:40,327 --> 00:14:44,228
Its elevated position makes
the most of the light and view.
244
00:14:45,954 --> 00:14:48,439
Sitting next to the
living and dining space
245
00:14:48,439 --> 00:14:50,993
is a small, but
efficient kitchen.
246
00:14:52,408 --> 00:14:54,928
What we are trying to keep
is a functional kitchen.
247
00:14:54,928 --> 00:14:59,484
With space, everything
that you have here
248
00:14:59,484 --> 00:15:03,109
is integrated on one
side of the house.
249
00:15:03,109 --> 00:15:07,182
Tried to have all the
functionalities together.
250
00:15:07,182 --> 00:15:10,840
So on that, we concentrate
everything in one place.
251
00:15:12,014 --> 00:15:14,706
It was, is to be free,
to be completely free,
252
00:15:14,706 --> 00:15:15,984
without any disturbance.
253
00:15:18,503 --> 00:15:20,022
[Narrator] The home's
clifftop position
254
00:15:20,022 --> 00:15:22,714
gives a sense of
living in the treetops.
255
00:15:25,096 --> 00:15:28,824
One side of the house sits next
to a secret, natural spring.
256
00:15:30,619 --> 00:15:33,035
The land stops,
more or less, here,
257
00:15:34,140 --> 00:15:37,315
and we are suspended
from the lake.
258
00:15:37,315 --> 00:15:40,318
[Narrator] The spring water
falls into a manmade lagoon.
259
00:15:41,492 --> 00:15:43,977
A gentle trickle,
during the hot summer,
260
00:15:43,977 --> 00:15:47,360
during the rains, this
becomes a magical waterfall.
261
00:15:48,568 --> 00:15:50,846
[gentle, quiet music]
262
00:15:50,846 --> 00:15:53,573
When people see the
house and say, "Hey,
263
00:15:53,573 --> 00:15:55,230
"the house is amazing."
264
00:15:55,230 --> 00:15:58,060
But when you come with
the people here and say,
265
00:15:58,060 --> 00:16:01,305
"Look what is coming
from over there to down."
266
00:16:01,305 --> 00:16:03,893
And they just say, "What?"
267
00:16:04,964 --> 00:16:06,896
This is my favorite spot
268
00:16:06,896 --> 00:16:10,797
because everything
is happened in here.
269
00:16:10,797 --> 00:16:14,525
I stay all the time,
in the summer, in here.
270
00:16:15,871 --> 00:16:18,253
I put my feet in the water.
271
00:16:19,668 --> 00:16:23,913
I listen to music and read also.
272
00:16:25,225 --> 00:16:29,367
And we talk about
everything in this place.
273
00:16:29,367 --> 00:16:32,543
[gentle, quiet music]
274
00:16:34,234 --> 00:16:36,961
[Narrator] They really
are living with the forest
275
00:16:36,961 --> 00:16:39,101
and in the forest.
276
00:16:39,101 --> 00:16:41,552
[water trickling]
277
00:16:41,552 --> 00:16:45,176
Hiding in plain site, in the
main, open-plan living space,
278
00:16:45,176 --> 00:16:47,075
there's another surprise.
279
00:16:48,421 --> 00:16:51,217
A special nook in the
house has been created
280
00:16:51,217 --> 00:16:53,840
to allow the forest
flora to grow up
281
00:16:53,840 --> 00:16:56,463
through the very heart
of the structure.
282
00:16:56,463 --> 00:16:58,948
The trees is very near.
283
00:16:58,948 --> 00:17:01,434
Could be a very big living room,
284
00:17:01,434 --> 00:17:02,952
- but-
- But we did not want--
285
00:17:02,952 --> 00:17:06,749
We didn't want to
take the chestnut tree.
286
00:17:06,749 --> 00:17:10,270
So we cut the house
to keep your tree.
287
00:17:13,308 --> 00:17:15,137
[Narrator] Preserving
all of the trees
288
00:17:15,137 --> 00:17:16,587
and vegetation on the plot
289
00:17:16,587 --> 00:17:18,727
was an important
part of the brief,
290
00:17:18,727 --> 00:17:21,419
given to architect,
Ernesto Pereira.
291
00:17:21,419 --> 00:17:23,801
We don't cut off any trees.
292
00:17:23,801 --> 00:17:27,598
We have to adapt completely
the house to the land.
293
00:17:27,598 --> 00:17:29,289
The big word is respect.
294
00:17:29,289 --> 00:17:33,707
We want to respect the
land, respect the nature
295
00:17:33,707 --> 00:17:35,399
and live with nature.
296
00:17:36,400 --> 00:17:38,091
When we built the balcony,
297
00:17:38,091 --> 00:17:41,819
we left space to
tree continue growing
298
00:17:41,819 --> 00:17:44,063
and continue moving with
the wind and everything
299
00:17:44,063 --> 00:17:46,099
and the balance of the balcony.
300
00:17:46,099 --> 00:17:48,032
This is a light structure
301
00:17:48,032 --> 00:17:50,552
and if you need to
increase the holes,
302
00:17:50,552 --> 00:17:54,038
is a five minute job for
me, not a problem at all.
303
00:17:56,316 --> 00:17:57,628
[Narrator]
Ernesto fell in love
304
00:17:57,628 --> 00:17:59,561
with the secrecy of this area
305
00:17:59,561 --> 00:18:03,979
as soon as he started work on
the job and visited the plot.
306
00:18:03,979 --> 00:18:05,946
I don't know no
one who arrive here
307
00:18:05,946 --> 00:18:08,811
and don't want
something like that.
308
00:18:08,811 --> 00:18:10,261
It's amazing.
309
00:18:10,261 --> 00:18:12,953
It's the power of the land,
the power of the nature.
310
00:18:14,300 --> 00:18:16,578
[Narrator] Designing the
house around the existing trees
311
00:18:16,578 --> 00:18:19,305
was the easy part for Ernesto,
312
00:18:19,305 --> 00:18:23,826
but building the structure
was a huge engineering feat.
313
00:18:23,826 --> 00:18:27,071
The complicated part is
no machine arrives here.
314
00:18:27,071 --> 00:18:28,555
If we cut the trees off, okay,
315
00:18:28,555 --> 00:18:32,525
we can put here the big machines
to bring the big windows,
316
00:18:32,525 --> 00:18:35,079
the big beams of
wood and everything.
317
00:18:35,079 --> 00:18:37,392
No, we have to construct here.
318
00:18:37,392 --> 00:18:40,567
Everything was a challenge,
everything was an adventure.
319
00:18:40,567 --> 00:18:45,572
Doing those was a nightmare
glass, we did 600 kilos by hand.
320
00:18:46,159 --> 00:18:47,402
It's not easy.
321
00:18:47,402 --> 00:18:48,541
[Narrator] As much of
the house as possible
322
00:18:48,541 --> 00:18:50,577
was assembled off-site.
323
00:18:50,577 --> 00:18:52,924
The rest had to be
carried in by hand.
324
00:18:54,823 --> 00:18:56,825
There's another
reason why this house
325
00:18:56,825 --> 00:19:00,380
fuses so effortlessly
with the woodland outside.
326
00:19:01,243 --> 00:19:02,900
Ernesto topped the house off
327
00:19:02,900 --> 00:19:06,075
with soil from the forest
instead of roof tiles,
328
00:19:06,075 --> 00:19:08,699
to help blend the house
into its surroundings.
329
00:19:09,872 --> 00:19:12,875
The roof is another
major part of the house
330
00:19:12,875 --> 00:19:17,052
because, like you see,
the roof become nature.
331
00:19:17,052 --> 00:19:18,571
We don't have big plants
332
00:19:18,571 --> 00:19:21,470
because we don't have
a lot of earth layer,
333
00:19:21,470 --> 00:19:25,164
but the objective is
to filtrate the water
334
00:19:25,164 --> 00:19:28,305
and after that, let the
water go to the lagoon.
335
00:19:28,305 --> 00:19:30,721
Is a completely
free maintenance.
336
00:19:30,721 --> 00:19:34,103
You don't know where the nature
start, when the roof ends.
337
00:19:34,103 --> 00:19:35,484
This is what we want,
338
00:19:35,484 --> 00:19:37,590
the nature take completely
part of the house.
339
00:19:39,281 --> 00:19:41,870
I believe when the nature
take part of the house,
340
00:19:41,870 --> 00:19:43,734
that would be
completely amazing,
341
00:19:43,734 --> 00:19:45,701
more and more amazing than now.
342
00:19:47,531 --> 00:19:49,291
[Narrator] To preserve
it's natural setting,
343
00:19:49,291 --> 00:19:51,880
the house is not attached
to the rock face.
344
00:19:53,295 --> 00:19:56,333
The structure only touches
the ground in 16 places,
345
00:19:56,333 --> 00:19:59,094
on 50 centimeter
square, concrete blocks.
346
00:20:00,268 --> 00:20:02,062
The support posts
for the terrace
347
00:20:02,062 --> 00:20:04,893
also sit on concrete blocks.
348
00:20:04,893 --> 00:20:07,930
Bolts tie the structure to
the underside of the building.
349
00:20:09,104 --> 00:20:10,899
There's support
posts that are angled
350
00:20:10,899 --> 00:20:12,935
to look like they're
a part of the forest
351
00:20:12,935 --> 00:20:15,214
and to give the illusion
that the terrace
352
00:20:15,214 --> 00:20:17,319
is suspended in the treetops.
353
00:20:21,081 --> 00:20:24,775
At the far end of the house is
Rui and Alexandra's bedroom.
354
00:20:26,155 --> 00:20:29,538
The room has two glass
walls to take in the views,
355
00:20:29,538 --> 00:20:31,609
but it has an ingenious feature
356
00:20:31,609 --> 00:20:34,957
to keep it secret from
the rest of the house.
357
00:20:34,957 --> 00:20:36,925
- If I want privacy--
- We have--
358
00:20:36,925 --> 00:20:39,238
- A secret door.
- Door.
359
00:20:39,238 --> 00:20:42,379
And I can close
360
00:20:46,797 --> 00:20:48,764
my bedroom like this.
361
00:20:50,179 --> 00:20:52,665
Nobody knows. [laughs]
362
00:20:54,149 --> 00:20:56,013
[Narrator] And there's
another surprising feature
363
00:20:56,013 --> 00:20:58,429
in Rui and Alexandra's hideaway.
364
00:21:02,364 --> 00:21:04,746
And it sits just
off their bedroom
365
00:21:04,746 --> 00:21:07,611
and can only be accessed
through the en suite shower.
366
00:21:07,611 --> 00:21:11,822
[Rui] This is our jacuzzi
that we come from the shower,
367
00:21:11,822 --> 00:21:14,134
which is a completely
outdoor jacuzzi.
368
00:21:15,343 --> 00:21:18,069
[Narrator] Open to the
skies and to the forest,
369
00:21:18,069 --> 00:21:21,003
this is the ultimate
in secret luxury.
370
00:21:21,003 --> 00:21:22,246
[Rui] Nobody thinks
371
00:21:22,246 --> 00:21:24,973
that they are going to
see something like that
372
00:21:24,973 --> 00:21:26,802
and people almost don't believe,
373
00:21:26,802 --> 00:21:29,736
but when we open
this and they see,
374
00:21:29,736 --> 00:21:32,394
now, you don't have
that over there.
375
00:21:36,433 --> 00:21:37,813
[Narrator] There's
one more water feature
376
00:21:37,813 --> 00:21:40,851
concealed in the
grounds of the house,
377
00:21:40,851 --> 00:21:42,473
a secluded swimming pool.
378
00:21:43,474 --> 00:21:47,064
[gentle, inspirational music]
379
00:21:47,064 --> 00:21:49,963
[Rui] If we're going to the
beach or something like this,
380
00:21:49,963 --> 00:21:52,966
we still go there,
but not so often.
381
00:21:52,966 --> 00:21:55,141
Before, when it is warm,
382
00:21:55,141 --> 00:21:57,488
you didn't need to
go there every day.
383
00:21:57,488 --> 00:21:59,628
Now we don't go so
often, of course,
384
00:21:59,628 --> 00:22:01,112
we have the swimming pool here.
385
00:22:03,425 --> 00:22:05,703
We can keep the
girls close to us
386
00:22:05,703 --> 00:22:08,948
- and them--
- Can stay in family.
387
00:22:08,948 --> 00:22:11,709
Is very important for
us, stay in family.
388
00:22:12,848 --> 00:22:16,749
And the girls like
to be with us in here
389
00:22:16,749 --> 00:22:20,960
and is more comfortable
to the girls.
390
00:22:20,960 --> 00:22:25,965
[quiet, piano music]
[birds chirping]
391
00:22:26,690 --> 00:22:28,795
The place is amazing.
392
00:22:28,795 --> 00:22:33,006
We can listen to the
birds when we wake up.
393
00:22:34,111 --> 00:22:38,736
We can see the
magic of the trees,
394
00:22:38,736 --> 00:22:42,568
the flowers, this is
a dream come true.
395
00:22:44,570 --> 00:22:47,158
[Narrator] Rui and
Alexandra live in a small,
396
00:22:47,158 --> 00:22:50,576
but beautifully
formed gem of a home,
397
00:22:50,576 --> 00:22:54,476
as close to nature as
it's possible to be.
398
00:22:54,476 --> 00:22:59,447
[gentle, inspirational music]
[birds chirping]
399
00:23:03,623 --> 00:23:06,902
[upbeat, cheery music]
400
00:23:11,769 --> 00:23:13,840
720 kilometers southeast,
401
00:23:17,188 --> 00:23:22,193
lies the tiny Spanish village
of Fontanars dels Alforins.
402
00:23:22,918 --> 00:23:25,576
[upbeat, cheery music]
403
00:23:29,546 --> 00:23:33,619
The land here is a mosaic of
vineyards and olive groves.
404
00:23:38,037 --> 00:23:41,109
It's the perfect
place to hide away,
405
00:23:41,109 --> 00:23:44,837
but constructing a home in
protected landscape like this
406
00:23:44,837 --> 00:23:46,735
is not easy.
407
00:23:46,735 --> 00:23:50,152
[gentle, dramatic music]
408
00:23:59,403 --> 00:24:01,543
Tucked away, off
the beaten track,
409
00:24:04,581 --> 00:24:07,791
hidden by its
natural surroundings,
410
00:24:07,791 --> 00:24:11,553
[gentle, dramatic music]
411
00:24:11,553 --> 00:24:14,556
sits a modern,
countryside retreat.
412
00:24:16,351 --> 00:24:19,768
[upbeat, dramatic music]
413
00:24:23,841 --> 00:24:26,223
This is the cottage
in the vineyard.
414
00:24:27,224 --> 00:24:31,470
[upbeat, dramatic music]
415
00:24:31,470 --> 00:24:34,231
[birds chirping]
416
00:24:36,544 --> 00:24:40,237
[cheerful, strumming music]
417
00:24:40,237 --> 00:24:43,274
The cottage is owned by
architect, Ramon Esteve,
418
00:24:46,346 --> 00:24:49,626
built as a holiday home,
somewhere he could escape to.
419
00:24:53,492 --> 00:24:56,046
For him, it's the perfect spot.
420
00:24:58,876 --> 00:25:03,571
I always like to have
a house in this area.
421
00:25:04,986 --> 00:25:07,747
I have my house in
the city center.
422
00:25:07,747 --> 00:25:09,542
It's a little bit noisy.
423
00:25:09,542 --> 00:25:11,924
I need to disconnect sometimes
424
00:25:11,924 --> 00:25:15,410
and the best thing to
disconnect is nature, for me.
425
00:25:20,242 --> 00:25:23,487
[Narrator] The cottage
covers 450 square meters
426
00:25:23,487 --> 00:25:24,971
and sits on one level.
427
00:25:26,421 --> 00:25:28,147
A central, concrete hallway
428
00:25:28,147 --> 00:25:31,909
connects the house to a series
of protruding, wooden cubes.
429
00:25:34,118 --> 00:25:38,019
At one end is a spacious master
suite with dressing area.
430
00:25:40,435 --> 00:25:43,852
Next to this are two guest
bedrooms with bathrooms.
431
00:25:45,613 --> 00:25:47,546
In the center,
there's a living room
432
00:25:49,686 --> 00:25:51,204
and a large kitchen.
433
00:25:53,517 --> 00:25:57,107
This leads to a large,
covered living, dining space.
434
00:25:58,246 --> 00:25:59,834
Garage
435
00:25:59,834 --> 00:26:01,145
and storage area.
436
00:26:02,353 --> 00:26:06,495
All of this sits in
130,000 square meters
437
00:26:06,495 --> 00:26:07,980
of Spanish countryside.
438
00:26:10,776 --> 00:26:13,261
[gentle, cheery music]
439
00:26:13,261 --> 00:26:16,920
With nothing but the wide,
open landscape for company,
440
00:26:16,920 --> 00:26:20,302
Ramon found his perfect
place to unwind.
441
00:26:22,270 --> 00:26:25,411
This area has tough
building restrictions
442
00:26:25,411 --> 00:26:28,310
so he wanted to come up
with a discreet design,
443
00:26:28,310 --> 00:26:30,278
in keeping with the
local architecture.
444
00:26:32,660 --> 00:26:34,282
[Ramon] When you approach,
445
00:26:34,282 --> 00:26:37,837
the house is hidden
behind the trees.
446
00:26:40,081 --> 00:26:41,427
It wants to be modest.
447
00:26:43,153 --> 00:26:45,742
You don't reveal the house.
448
00:26:45,742 --> 00:26:47,916
[Narrator] As you
continue your approach,
449
00:26:47,916 --> 00:26:49,918
the intrigue builds.
450
00:26:49,918 --> 00:26:52,093
Looking more like
a glass window,
451
00:26:52,093 --> 00:26:56,062
the front door is a tiny opening
on the side of the house.
452
00:26:56,925 --> 00:27:00,170
[upbeat, cheery music]
453
00:27:04,174 --> 00:27:07,246
[Ramon] You walk through
the small, box door,
454
00:27:08,661 --> 00:27:12,907
and when you arrive, it's
like an explosion of space.
455
00:27:14,460 --> 00:27:17,014
[Narrator] The central
hallway connects wooden cubes,
456
00:27:17,014 --> 00:27:19,016
which house the living spaces.
457
00:27:21,467 --> 00:27:25,782
All walls and floors,
and even the furniture,
458
00:27:25,782 --> 00:27:27,231
are made from pine.
459
00:27:28,647 --> 00:27:32,202
The unique wooden cabin design
gives a sense of intimacy
460
00:27:32,202 --> 00:27:34,411
and it feels as though
the natural world
461
00:27:34,411 --> 00:27:38,518
lives within the very
structure of the house.
462
00:27:38,518 --> 00:27:41,487
[Ramon] You are
protected with the box
463
00:27:41,487 --> 00:27:45,180
and at the same time, you
have, open, big screen,
464
00:27:45,180 --> 00:27:46,803
seeing the outside.
465
00:27:49,771 --> 00:27:52,222
[Narrator] The large windows
perfectly bridge the gap
466
00:27:52,222 --> 00:27:56,882
between the modern interior
and the landscape beyond.
467
00:27:56,882 --> 00:28:00,126
[cheery, upbeat music]
468
00:28:02,301 --> 00:28:06,477
The kitchen has
stunning, panoramic views of the vineyards.
469
00:28:07,340 --> 00:28:10,619
[cheery, upbeat music]
470
00:28:12,276 --> 00:28:15,417
[Ramon] This is a house
to share with friends
471
00:28:15,417 --> 00:28:19,111
and the best place to share,
we think, is the kitchen.
472
00:28:20,560 --> 00:28:22,701
It's a dining room at the
same time as a kitchen.
473
00:28:25,082 --> 00:28:27,602
[Narrator] Ramon wanted
a space he could entertain,
474
00:28:27,602 --> 00:28:30,674
socialize and cook in.
475
00:28:30,674 --> 00:28:32,193
He had to come up with a design
476
00:28:32,193 --> 00:28:35,058
that could cleverly
convert and hide away
477
00:28:35,058 --> 00:28:37,163
any sense of it being a kitchen.
478
00:28:39,234 --> 00:28:44,239
To integrate, I've
hidden all the cupboards,
479
00:28:45,378 --> 00:28:49,210
like oven with the
advantage you can open
480
00:28:49,210 --> 00:28:52,800
and you became in
a normal kitchen
481
00:28:52,800 --> 00:28:55,181
and when you finish, you close
482
00:28:56,873 --> 00:28:58,633
and it's part of
the living area.
483
00:29:01,740 --> 00:29:05,709
[upbeat, cheery music]
484
00:29:05,709 --> 00:29:07,055
[Narrator] The discreet design
485
00:29:07,055 --> 00:29:09,748
flows right through this house
486
00:29:09,748 --> 00:29:13,372
and the focal point of
every space is the view.
487
00:29:15,581 --> 00:29:18,998
And the master bedroom takes
this concept even further.
488
00:29:20,689 --> 00:29:23,796
[Ramon] It's very nice
to wake up in the morning
489
00:29:23,796 --> 00:29:27,869
with that window focused
to the landscape.
490
00:29:27,869 --> 00:29:32,425
You feel like you are sleeping
in the middle of the nature.
491
00:29:32,425 --> 00:29:35,877
The only thing that you
can fear is some bears,
492
00:29:35,877 --> 00:29:36,740
nothing more.
493
00:29:38,500 --> 00:29:40,848
[Narrator] And there's
something even more amazing
494
00:29:40,848 --> 00:29:41,745
about this space,
495
00:29:43,782 --> 00:29:46,957
the mirrored bathroom creates
an incredible illusion
496
00:29:48,372 --> 00:29:52,031
that immerses you in nature
in the most magical way.
497
00:29:53,412 --> 00:29:56,070
[cheery, upbeat music]
498
00:29:56,070 --> 00:29:58,935
The sink area, for
me is very amazing.
499
00:29:58,935 --> 00:30:01,213
When you are washing your teeth,
500
00:30:01,213 --> 00:30:04,285
you are feeling you
are inside the forest.
501
00:30:05,769 --> 00:30:10,498
This small space is one of
my favorites in my house.
502
00:30:11,706 --> 00:30:14,053
It's a surprise,
when you are here,
503
00:30:14,053 --> 00:30:16,815
your least effect
is a simple effect,
504
00:30:16,815 --> 00:30:18,851
but this, it works very well.
505
00:30:22,648 --> 00:30:25,824
[birds chirping]
506
00:30:25,824 --> 00:30:28,067
[Narrator] The house
is made out of wood,
507
00:30:28,067 --> 00:30:31,139
galvanized steel
and white concrete
508
00:30:31,139 --> 00:30:33,832
that has been textured
to resemble the pine
509
00:30:33,832 --> 00:30:35,143
used throughout the home.
510
00:30:37,697 --> 00:30:39,492
Ramon wanted the outside
511
00:30:39,492 --> 00:30:42,012
to be the very
essence of the house,
512
00:30:43,082 --> 00:30:44,912
but he went one step further
513
00:30:44,912 --> 00:30:48,363
and created a space that
completely opens out
514
00:30:48,363 --> 00:30:49,675
to the natural world.
515
00:30:50,814 --> 00:30:54,922
[gentle, quiet music]
[birds chirping]
516
00:30:54,922 --> 00:30:57,579
[Ramon] I like
to listen to nature
517
00:30:57,579 --> 00:30:58,857
and to listen to the birds
518
00:31:00,030 --> 00:31:03,344
and that is strong
contact with nature.
519
00:31:03,344 --> 00:31:07,175
[gentle, inspirational music]
520
00:31:12,663 --> 00:31:14,355
[Narrator] At the
touch of a button,
521
00:31:14,355 --> 00:31:18,290
Ramon can effortlessly connect
the house with the outside.
522
00:31:19,394 --> 00:31:22,156
[gentle, inspirational music]
523
00:31:22,156 --> 00:31:25,228
And the result is spectacular.
524
00:31:25,228 --> 00:31:29,611
[gentle, inspirational music]
525
00:31:29,611 --> 00:31:32,028
[Ramon] The aim of this space
526
00:31:32,028 --> 00:31:37,033
is to reproduce the living
area of the house, outdoors.
527
00:31:41,554 --> 00:31:43,591
I have the living area,
528
00:31:43,591 --> 00:31:46,352
the dining area and
also the kitchen.
529
00:31:48,803 --> 00:31:50,322
[Narrator] To
open up this space,
530
00:31:50,322 --> 00:31:54,015
Ramon designed two nine
meter motorized doors,
531
00:31:54,015 --> 00:31:56,121
one on each side of the cottage
532
00:31:56,121 --> 00:31:58,847
that draw back to
reveal the landscape.
533
00:32:04,992 --> 00:32:09,099
Each door is constructed from
galvanized steel and wood.
534
00:32:09,099 --> 00:32:11,205
A U-shaped track
in the upper lintel
535
00:32:11,205 --> 00:32:15,105
holds the door steady as
motors draw it along rollers.
536
00:32:16,244 --> 00:32:18,660
On the ground, the door
moves along a track,
537
00:32:18,660 --> 00:32:20,455
set flush with the floor.
538
00:32:21,387 --> 00:32:23,665
Remote controls open the door,
539
00:32:23,665 --> 00:32:27,221
which then hides completely
into the adjacent wall.
540
00:32:32,847 --> 00:32:37,300
What an incredible place
to relax and enjoy nature.
541
00:32:37,300 --> 00:32:39,060
And there's one final secret
542
00:32:39,060 --> 00:32:42,477
that Ramon couldn't resist
having in this space.
543
00:32:44,928 --> 00:32:46,274
[Ramon] Here is Valencia,
544
00:32:46,274 --> 00:32:48,069
but this is the
place of the paella
545
00:32:48,069 --> 00:32:52,073
and to make a paella outside
is the best place to eat,
546
00:32:52,073 --> 00:32:53,074
better than inside.
547
00:32:55,594 --> 00:32:57,389
[Narrator] Hidden
behind two doors,
548
00:32:57,389 --> 00:33:00,702
Ramon created the perfect
place to cook his paella
549
00:33:00,702 --> 00:33:02,359
and entertain friends.
550
00:33:03,843 --> 00:33:06,087
A barbecue that
can be hidden away
551
00:33:06,087 --> 00:33:08,745
or opened into
the central space.
552
00:33:12,197 --> 00:33:14,440
But just occasionally,
there comes a time
553
00:33:14,440 --> 00:33:16,718
when Ramon wants to hide himself
554
00:33:16,718 --> 00:33:19,411
and the house from
the outside world.
555
00:33:20,929 --> 00:33:24,347
Every room has a door
556
00:33:24,347 --> 00:33:27,833
to hide in the two
sides of the window.
557
00:33:27,833 --> 00:33:32,217
In some way, when
you open the house,
558
00:33:32,217 --> 00:33:33,977
you engage with the house.
559
00:33:33,977 --> 00:33:37,153
It's like a ceremony of welcome
560
00:33:38,671 --> 00:33:43,193
and when you close, is
that you say, "Goodbye."
561
00:33:44,091 --> 00:33:46,783
[gentle, quiet music]
562
00:33:46,783 --> 00:33:50,752
[Narrator] Ramon has
created a true place of beauty
563
00:33:50,752 --> 00:33:53,065
and the perfect place to escape.
564
00:33:54,963 --> 00:33:57,449
The cottage oozes calmness
565
00:33:57,449 --> 00:33:59,623
and allows its
natural surroundings
566
00:33:59,623 --> 00:34:02,040
to filter right
through the property.
567
00:34:04,007 --> 00:34:08,701
With this house, I am very
proud and I am very glad
568
00:34:08,701 --> 00:34:11,670
I found more than I looking for.
569
00:34:12,705 --> 00:34:15,432
When I see the
landscape, I feel calm,
570
00:34:15,432 --> 00:34:18,918
I feel relaxed, I feel happy.
571
00:34:18,918 --> 00:34:21,783
[gentle, quiet music]
572
00:34:21,783 --> 00:34:26,788
I came here when I were a child,
and now, when I came here,
573
00:34:27,927 --> 00:34:29,791
I feel connected
with the landscape.
574
00:34:29,791 --> 00:34:31,655
I connected with my memories.
575
00:34:32,760 --> 00:34:37,627
[gentle, quiet music]
[birds chirping]
576
00:34:49,363 --> 00:34:53,712
[Narrator] 1,200 kilometers
northeast is Lake Maggiore.
577
00:34:54,920 --> 00:34:56,370
Just south of the Alps,
578
00:34:56,370 --> 00:34:59,166
it stretches from the
Italian region of Lombardi
579
00:34:59,166 --> 00:35:00,650
up into Switzerland.
580
00:35:02,307 --> 00:35:07,174
It's a wild, mountain landscape
with breathtaking views.
581
00:35:07,174 --> 00:35:11,039
[gentle, inspirational music]
582
00:35:18,461 --> 00:35:22,258
Along these shores, on
a small plot of land,
583
00:35:22,258 --> 00:35:26,296
sits an unusual home
with hidden depths.
584
00:35:26,296 --> 00:35:29,472
[gentle, quiet music]
585
00:35:38,136 --> 00:35:39,723
On the northern edge of the lake
586
00:35:39,723 --> 00:35:41,725
lies the village of Caviano.
587
00:35:45,177 --> 00:35:47,559
This is a tiny community of old,
588
00:35:47,559 --> 00:35:50,734
stone houses and quaint streets.
589
00:35:52,909 --> 00:35:54,462
On the edge of town,
590
00:35:54,462 --> 00:35:56,568
with only a fraction
of the structure,
591
00:35:56,568 --> 00:35:58,777
visible from the road,
592
00:35:58,777 --> 00:36:02,539
[gentle, inspirational music]
593
00:36:05,232 --> 00:36:07,889
sits this small,
cube-like building.
594
00:36:11,514 --> 00:36:16,277
Behind this facade, lies
a house, seen by very few.
595
00:36:18,486 --> 00:36:22,145
This small and compact
house is called Casa Dem,
596
00:36:22,145 --> 00:36:25,252
which means the house.
597
00:36:26,563 --> 00:36:31,568
[birds chirping]
[cheerful, strumming music]
598
00:36:34,399 --> 00:36:38,126
The owner and designer is
architect Jerome de Meuron
599
00:36:38,126 --> 00:36:40,681
who lives here with
his wife, Paula,
600
00:36:40,681 --> 00:36:43,097
son Damien, and dog, Nuna.
601
00:36:45,513 --> 00:36:48,792
I just bought
130 square meters
602
00:36:48,792 --> 00:36:50,277
where the house,
it's on its own,
603
00:36:50,277 --> 00:36:53,832
basically it's the house and
the parking lot and that's it.
604
00:36:55,661 --> 00:36:57,491
[Narrator] To create
a family home here,
605
00:36:57,491 --> 00:37:00,459
on this very small
footprint of land,
606
00:37:00,459 --> 00:37:02,289
the house had to be tall.
607
00:37:04,912 --> 00:37:07,190
[Jerome] It was a big
challenge to put everything
608
00:37:07,190 --> 00:37:11,056
which was required for us
to live in this small house
609
00:37:11,056 --> 00:37:12,989
because the plot was very small.
610
00:37:12,989 --> 00:37:15,785
The house is about
80 square meters.
611
00:37:17,511 --> 00:37:19,409
And there we had
to put everything
612
00:37:19,409 --> 00:37:22,378
that was required for us inside.
613
00:37:29,419 --> 00:37:30,938
[Narrator] This
tall, thin house
614
00:37:30,938 --> 00:37:33,389
is being built on a
tiny plot of land,
615
00:37:33,389 --> 00:37:36,357
on the side of a hill,
across three floors.
616
00:37:38,221 --> 00:37:40,603
On the top floor is
the living space,
617
00:37:42,225 --> 00:37:43,157
with kitchen,
618
00:37:44,710 --> 00:37:46,540
and dining area.
619
00:37:46,540 --> 00:37:49,232
On the first floor
are two bedrooms,
620
00:37:49,232 --> 00:37:53,271
each with an external
terrace, and a wet room.
621
00:37:54,996 --> 00:37:58,414
At the bottom level, there
is a cellar and workshop.
622
00:37:59,518 --> 00:38:04,316
[gentle, cheery music]
[birds chirping]
623
00:38:08,286 --> 00:38:11,289
Jerome chose to build his
contemporary, new house
624
00:38:11,289 --> 00:38:13,532
in a way that helps it blend in
625
00:38:13,532 --> 00:38:16,155
with the traditional
homes in this village.
626
00:38:18,986 --> 00:38:21,575
[Jerome] The house is
built in concrete, basically
627
00:38:22,990 --> 00:38:26,200
and the house itself,
628
00:38:26,200 --> 00:38:30,998
we tried to get the
same proportion as the old houses are.
629
00:38:30,998 --> 00:38:32,586
So at the front, they are low
630
00:38:34,795 --> 00:38:36,486
and at the back, they are high.
631
00:38:36,486 --> 00:38:39,075
So that's also what
we tried to redo.
632
00:38:43,528 --> 00:38:46,220
[Narrator] From street
level, the three story house
633
00:38:46,220 --> 00:38:49,327
looks like a simple
one story building.
634
00:38:49,327 --> 00:38:54,332
[gentle, quiet music]
[birds chirping]
635
00:38:55,505 --> 00:38:57,231
If you come here,
you can't even imagine
636
00:38:57,231 --> 00:38:58,543
that this could be a house.
637
00:38:59,406 --> 00:39:02,374
The door is a big opening
638
00:39:02,374 --> 00:39:05,032
where we can regulate
if we want privacy
639
00:39:05,032 --> 00:39:07,068
or if we want to
have the connection
640
00:39:07,068 --> 00:39:08,622
to the people who walk through.
641
00:39:09,761 --> 00:39:10,969
[Narrator] On the
other side of the door,
642
00:39:10,969 --> 00:39:13,143
there's a concealed courtyard
643
00:39:16,008 --> 00:39:17,734
with a small seating area.
644
00:39:20,737 --> 00:39:25,742
An internal door brings you
into a compact, open-plan space.
645
00:39:26,847 --> 00:39:28,331
Simple, gray, concrete
walls and floors
646
00:39:28,331 --> 00:39:31,886
make the home feel bigger
than it actually is.
647
00:39:31,886 --> 00:39:34,302
There's a functional kitchen,
648
00:39:34,302 --> 00:39:36,753
which leads to a
small dining area,
649
00:39:38,168 --> 00:39:41,655
and an unexpectedly
large living area.
650
00:39:42,932 --> 00:39:44,623
The house is divided
in three levels.
651
00:39:44,623 --> 00:39:47,212
Here is the upper
level, where we live.
652
00:39:48,489 --> 00:39:49,973
The house is designed as,
653
00:39:49,973 --> 00:39:51,389
that everything you
need for the kitchen,
654
00:39:51,389 --> 00:39:52,597
for example, is hidden.
655
00:39:55,841 --> 00:40:00,087
Also, the office,
it has the computer,
656
00:40:00,087 --> 00:40:03,262
if it's necessary,
we can work here.
657
00:40:05,575 --> 00:40:07,750
[Narrator] In this
minimalist home,
658
00:40:07,750 --> 00:40:10,787
everything is stored away
in discreet cupboards.
659
00:40:12,720 --> 00:40:15,585
Even the curtains have
a secret hideaway.
660
00:40:17,173 --> 00:40:19,796
The house is designed
to have the privacy.
661
00:40:19,796 --> 00:40:23,455
So it offers enough,
but in some occasions,
662
00:40:23,455 --> 00:40:25,423
when the sun is
coming from this side,
663
00:40:25,423 --> 00:40:27,183
so we need some protection,
664
00:40:27,183 --> 00:40:29,357
then we have these
curtains hidden here.
665
00:40:30,842 --> 00:40:34,846
[gentle, quiet music]
666
00:40:34,846 --> 00:40:37,020
[Narrator] To make
the most of the space,
667
00:40:37,020 --> 00:40:41,473
all of the furniture is
bespoke, made by Jerome himself,
668
00:40:41,473 --> 00:40:43,751
even the unusual coffee table.
669
00:40:45,235 --> 00:40:46,478
[Jerome] The furniture, also,
670
00:40:46,478 --> 00:40:48,100
is integrated in
the architecture.
671
00:40:48,100 --> 00:40:52,208
This is, on one hand, it's
because there is a few space
672
00:40:52,208 --> 00:40:54,797
and it was also important
to have it in wood.
673
00:40:54,797 --> 00:40:57,593
So it is kind of
contrast to the gray
674
00:40:57,593 --> 00:41:00,285
and base materials of the house.
675
00:41:01,942 --> 00:41:05,463
[Narrator] Down an internal
staircase, on the floor below,
676
00:41:06,636 --> 00:41:09,363
there's a separate
toilet and wet room.
677
00:41:12,159 --> 00:41:15,714
There are two bedrooms,
son Damian's bedroom,
678
00:41:17,613 --> 00:41:19,028
and the master bedroom.
679
00:41:21,064 --> 00:41:23,342
In keeping with the
minimalist design,
680
00:41:23,342 --> 00:41:25,759
functional necessities,
such as doors
681
00:41:25,759 --> 00:41:27,968
are paired back and simple.
682
00:41:29,176 --> 00:41:31,316
[Jerome] So the doors
are made just in wood.
683
00:41:31,316 --> 00:41:33,629
So to touch, it's very good
684
00:41:33,629 --> 00:41:36,839
and there is, you can
open it just in this way.
685
00:41:38,323 --> 00:41:41,809
It was also important to have
not handles to touch the wood
686
00:41:41,809 --> 00:41:43,535
and not another material again.
687
00:41:44,605 --> 00:41:47,401
[gentle, quiet music]
688
00:41:47,401 --> 00:41:50,542
[Narrator] Off each bedroom,
there's an enclosed terrace.
689
00:41:53,269 --> 00:41:55,685
With so few external windows,
690
00:41:55,685 --> 00:41:57,515
Jerome needed to
come up with a way
691
00:41:57,515 --> 00:41:59,551
to bring light into the house
692
00:41:59,551 --> 00:42:02,105
and channel it down
to the floors below.
693
00:42:04,314 --> 00:42:07,594
His ingenious
solution, light wells.
694
00:42:10,079 --> 00:42:15,084
These holes, is a kind of
repeating idea of the house.
695
00:42:16,499 --> 00:42:18,881
They're in the facade,
they are in theses areas,
696
00:42:18,881 --> 00:42:21,918
even artificial
light is integrated
697
00:42:21,918 --> 00:42:23,230
in the architecture as a whole,
698
00:42:23,230 --> 00:42:24,611
where the light is inside.
699
00:42:24,611 --> 00:42:27,545
So it's taking part
of the architecture.
700
00:42:29,547 --> 00:42:31,445
[Narrator] To achieve
this, a skylight
701
00:42:31,445 --> 00:42:33,930
channels sunlight from the roof
702
00:42:33,930 --> 00:42:36,933
down through the stairwell,
to the rooms below.
703
00:42:39,695 --> 00:42:42,076
Holes have been cut
in the concrete walls
704
00:42:42,076 --> 00:42:43,975
to flood the
building with light.
705
00:42:46,080 --> 00:42:50,671
The largest opening is
on the lakeside courtyard
706
00:42:50,671 --> 00:42:54,088
to make the most of
those spectacular views.
707
00:42:57,575 --> 00:43:00,785
[Jerome] Even if we are here
on the height of the trees,
708
00:43:00,785 --> 00:43:03,373
so it as so nice
to have the view,
709
00:43:03,373 --> 00:43:04,858
even if they are small views,
710
00:43:04,858 --> 00:43:06,514
but to have it
through the trees.
711
00:43:07,619 --> 00:43:11,865
[birds chirping]
[gentle music]
712
00:43:11,865 --> 00:43:15,765
[Narrator] Jerome had one
more design trick up his sleeve
713
00:43:15,765 --> 00:43:19,217
to bring light into
the concealed home.
714
00:43:19,217 --> 00:43:21,460
So the main idea
of this courtyard
715
00:43:21,460 --> 00:43:23,773
was to have the light inside.
716
00:43:23,773 --> 00:43:26,120
So in summertime, when
the sun is coming,
717
00:43:26,120 --> 00:43:27,674
it's reflecting on this side.
718
00:43:27,674 --> 00:43:30,297
So the wall is
important for that.
719
00:43:33,093 --> 00:43:34,612
[Narrator] Through
creative design,
720
00:43:34,612 --> 00:43:37,131
Jerome has achieved his dream
721
00:43:37,131 --> 00:43:42,136
of building a compact, family
home in an area he loves.
722
00:43:42,861 --> 00:43:44,518
[gentle, quiet music]
723
00:43:44,518 --> 00:43:47,555
For me, this house
is very like a cave,
724
00:43:47,555 --> 00:43:51,594
where I can go back and
relax and where I feel safe.
725
00:43:55,667 --> 00:43:59,015
And it's also very good for
me to work where I live.
726
00:44:01,017 --> 00:44:04,020
So if my son, for example,
goes to school or comes back,
727
00:44:04,020 --> 00:44:06,091
I'm gonna get home to see him.
728
00:44:06,091 --> 00:44:07,645
Even if it's five minutes,
729
00:44:07,645 --> 00:44:09,543
or I have a straight
contact to the family,
730
00:44:09,543 --> 00:44:10,820
that's what I really like.
731
00:44:11,959 --> 00:44:16,964
[gentle, cheery music]
[birds chirping]
732
00:44:25,248 --> 00:44:29,011
[dramatic, orchestral music]
56887
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