Photos by Imagen Subliminal
As anyone in this industry can attest, quite often, it's a seemingly basic request that can serve as a springboard for unexpected, creative solutions.
In this case, architect Manuel Ocaña was hired to develop an attractive way to mask the nearly 50-foot wall at the back of this client's property, just behind an infinite-edge pool. Such a request presents infinite possibilities. Maybe you could add a tile mosaic? Or cover the wall in an attractive, yet weather-resistant wood, like ipe? Or heck, you could install a screen there for movie nights by the pool.
Instead of the above, Ocaña created an entirely new concept that serves as a multipurpose work of art.
This "wall," for lack of a better word, is adorned with 33 round, stainless-steel mirrors, canted in all directions. Each mirror has a slight curve that not only warps its reflection in an attractive way, but also prevents excessive heat and glare. In a story in Dezeen magazine, representatives from Ocaña's firm describe these mirrors as "metallic petals."
Plants were added in-between the mirrors to add depth, and 60 misters were installed both water the plants and attract birds.
Throughout the day, the look of the wall evolves. The mirrors fill with the blue of the sky during the day, dotting the surface of the water with reflections. At sunset, the mirrors change to mimic the sky's pinks and orange hues, as well as the greenery of the surrounding plants.
If that isn't enough incentive to get outside more, we don't know what is.
