Monumental yet nuanced, the design floats lightly above the volcanic landscape, with wing-like eaves and a slender, pavilion-style form attuned to prevailing winds, sun angles, and views.

Architecture & Design: Can you describe the initial vision for this project and how it evolved over time?

FRG Architects: The vision from the outset was to create a residence that felt both anchored in its landscape and yet lightly poised above it: A balance of permanence and ephemerality.

We wanted the house to be a marker in the land, almost totemic in its presence, while still dissolving into the surrounding fields and sky. As the design evolved, the interplay between heavy concrete and light-filled glass became more refined, achieving a seamless transition between monumental form and pavilion-like openness.

The concept of a protective southern wall, contrasted with the transparency of the northern facade, crystallised as the key gesture that carried the design through.

What were the biggest challenges you faced during the design and construction phases, and how did you overcome them?

The greatest challenge lay in achieving the level of precision demanded by the design while working in a remote rural setting. The tapered edges, flush glazing, and cantilevered structures required exacting detailing and commercial-grade build quality.

To overcome this, we worked closely with the builder and consultants to resolve detailing well in advance and tested methods on site. It was a process of discipline and collaboration, ensuring that complex construction appeared effortless.

How did you ensure that the project met the client’s needs and expectations?

The client’s brief was clear: a home that balanced functionality with a sense of poetry, one that engaged deeply with the site while remaining practical for everyday life.

We responded by weaving flexibility into the design, sliding doors concealed in wall cavities, operable windows and pivoting doors, and shaded outdoor spaces that adapt to climate.

Regular dialogue and shared site visits ensured alignment at every stage, with design decisions always tested against the dual criteria of utility and beauty.

Were there any unique or innovative techniques or materials used in this project?

Absolutely. One of the most distinctive aspects was the aeronautical refinement of the concrete detailing. The tapered eaves and flooring were designed to feel weightless, almost like the wing of an aircraft slicing through air.

Achieving this demanded advanced formwork and a level of precision rarely applied in residential construction. The edges taper so finely that they visually lift the mass of the building, giving the impression of flight while remaining grounded in concrete.

This, combined with the seamless integration of 3.1m flush glazing, created a fluid aerodynamic profile where structure, light, and landscape work as one.

Bronze handles, polished render with a lustrous patina, and floating cabinetry further amplify the sense of streamlined sophistication.

The innovation is less about new materials and more about pushing traditional ones, concrete, glass, stone, into realms of finesse and elegance akin to aeronautical engineering.

How does this project fit into your broader portfolio and design philosophy?

Mingela Polo Residence exemplifies our studio’s pursuit of clarity, restraint, and connection to place.

Like much of our work, it is about stripping away excess to allow proportion, material, and light to resonate. While monumental, the house carries an intimacy through its fluidity, its engagement with climate, and its nuanced detailing.

It represents our belief that architecture can simultaneously provide protection and openness, weight and lightness, strength and elegance, always attuned to the land it inhabits.

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