'Casa Lee' has been somewhat unflatteringly described as a 'concrete mass.' Equally, one could compare it to a concrete blockhouse reminiscent of the Second Boer War. Regardless, its angular, if not imposing Brutalist style, may not find favor with its most vocal critic, Charles, Prince of Wales, but it is an aesthetic that has resonated with the likes of prolific 20th Century architects, Joseph Eichler and Frank Lloyd Wright. The fortress of an exterior is transformed by retractable glass walls that open the structure to absorb its Brazilian surroundings and inset wood cladding beyond the vast open plan living space, marks a shift in ambience from that which is social to that which is more intimate, as it continues through the four bedrooms and perhaps, not surprisingly, inhabits the sauna.
Illuminated from within, the pool contributes to the external ambience of the residence and as one of its many key features, makes strides towards setting the internal tone. The relaxed outdoor vibe is continued inside with the addition of rather whimsical area rugs, that inhabit both the communal areas with pool views, and the bathroom, and look suspiciously like oversized beach towels.
A minimalist approach in the bedrooms allows the angular nature of the space and the richness of the wood to shine, which is of course, aided by recessed fluorescent lighting above the bed, making for optimum night time reading in the happy absence of a television. Square down lighting is preferred to the usual circular look, which also plays on the greater aesthetic.
