The chosen site – the Northeast Coast National Scenic Area – is an immense natural park facing the Pacifi c Ocean. This factor compelled all the architects to seek a dialogue with the landscape, and at the same time adopt a wide variety of solutions. Rome practice IaN+ proposed an ecological evolution of the Palladian villa, and Taiwanese architect Shu-Chang Kung came up with the Radix House, a dwelling made up of fi ve elements that lightly touch the ground. Kengo Kuma created a “transparent” design in which the house almost seems to disappear, while the Graft group devised a villa on three vertical levels in which a spiral movement integrates architecture and landscape. Work is set to start on site this summer, with the first houses due for completion by December 2009. E.S.

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