Ripple House Caltlachihualiztli ipan Chantli by Sam Alawie

Ripple House Caltlachihualiztli ipan Chantli by Sam Alawie is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl in Calchihualiztli, Calmanaliztli ihuan Tlatecpanaliztli Tlachihchihualiztli Competition Category.

IztacteocuitlatlCalchihualiztli· 2025

Ripple House Caltlachihualiztli ipan Chantli

by Sam Alawie

Client: Zane Carter Architects

Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl Winner in Calchihualiztli Category

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Verified Award Winner

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Colors

The Design

About Ripple House Caltlachihualiztli ipan Chantli

Ripple House ce chantli tlen mochihua ipan Sydney, Australia. Inin calli moquetza ipan ce tlalli tepitzin tlen quipia 311 metros cuadrados ihuan quipia nahui cochihuayan, yei nealtiloyan, ome netlaliloyan ipan teposcahuayotin, ihuan tlacualchihualoyan ihuan tlacualoyan calihtic ihuan calixpan. Ce tlatzacuilotl tlen mochihchiuh yancuic quichihua in ixco calli. In machiyotl tlen atl ichipinca motequi ica laser ipan aluminio amatlapaltin, ihuan cecen amatlapalli mocoltilia inic momolinia ixco. Ce tlapalhuiliztli chicahuac tlen polvo quimalhuia in tepoztli itech in iztatl tlen hueyi atl. Ce coyoncayotl tlahtlaco quinnepanoa in ome tlamamanaliztli ihuan quipalehuia in tlapouhcayotl, in tlanextli ihuan in nenepanoliztli calihtic.

The Recognition

About the Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl

Ripple House Caltlachihualiztli ipan Chantli ca in quicuic in Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl, hueyi tlamahuizoliztli tlen momaca in huel yectli, tlanextic ihuan mahuiztic tlachihualli. In quicuicah Iztacteocuitlatl ca cenca cualli ihuan cenca yancuic tlachihualli in quinextia in tlamatiliztli, toltecayotl ihuan ixtlamatiliztli intlachihuanime. Ca quinequi in Ripple House Caltlachihualiztli ipan Chantli ca cenca cualli, cenca motequiuhtia ihuan yancuic. Ni dizayno in quicuic Iztacteocuitlatl quihuelitia in toltecayotl, tlamatiliztli, dizayno ihuan teknolohia. Ripple House Caltlachihualiztli ipan Chantli quiyolchicahua in tlacah, quipaquiltia ihuan quitlamahuiztiltia.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: A sculptural piece of art in built form, this design transforms space into an ever evolving experience. The custom screen designed by the architect, casts dynamic light art, mimicking the fluid dance of water droplets as sunlight shifts throughout the day. Shadows ripple across surfaces, creating an interplay of movement and stillness. This fusion of architecture and light elevates the home beyond function, into an immersive, living artwork that responds to time, nature, and its inhabitants.
Dimensions & Packaging: Each dwelling is situated on a compact land size of 311sqm. Each home consists of 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 car spaces, both and indoor and outdoor dining and kitchen areas.
Tags: Residential House, Residential Design, Duplex Design, Home Design, Interior Design, Facade Screen, Screen, Ripple
Production Technology: This design is a symphony of light, movement, and material. The water droplet inspired pattern is delicately laser cut into aluminium, each sheet gently curved to ripple across the façade like a flowing stream. Bathed in an anodised allure, the metallic powder-coated finish catches the light, shimmering like sunlit water. Beneath its beauty lies resilience; the Electro coating, crafted with advanced super-durable polyester thermosetting powder, ensuring its tale endures sea salt spray.
Design Challenge: Designing Ripple House posed challenges in structure, materials, and execution. The open voids required precise engineering for stability, balancing openness with support. Built on sand, the home relied on screw piles for a solid foundation. The aluminum screen, laser-cut and assembled in segments, formed a flowing ripple effect while resisting sea spray corrosion. The floating marble island, curved and held by a wooden frame, demanded expert craftsmanship and structural reinforcement to achieve its sculptural lightness.
Research: The design research blended site analysis, material testing, and engineering to balance aesthetics, function, and durability. It optimized light, airflow, stability, and material longevity in a coastal setting. Using digital modeling, prototypes, and simulations, data from soil tests, climate studies, and material evaluations informed decisions. Research ensured screw pile stability, aluminum corrosion resistance, and marble island support, setting new standards for resilient coastal design.
Inspiration: Ripple House whispers the poetry of water, embodying fluidity and connection, inspired by the graceful, ever changing dance of droplets. This lyrical concept ripples through every detail, most vividly in the custom-designed front screen, a masterpiece by the architect. Its pattern, an elegant ballet of converging and diverging droplets, stands as a sculptural ode to nature, casting ephemeral shadows that shift with the sun’s journey, painting the home in light’s delicate choreography.
Project Duration: The project is located in Sydney Australia. The project commenced in and was completed in October 2024.
Operation Flow: Ripple House enhances human experiences by fostering interaction and connectedness. The design actively encourages a sense of community and engagement, creating spaces that invite people to gather, converse, and connect with one another. At the heart of the home, a central void seamlessly connects the two levels, acting as a visual connector that enhances openness and fluidity while encouraging interaction between the levels. The kitchen is designed as both a culinary and social hub. The expansive chef’s island functions as a workspace and dining area, inviting family and guests to gather around food, creating an interactive cooking experience that fosters togetherness.
Team Members: Architect and Interior Designer: Sam Alawie
Image Credits: Photographer archphoto Andreas Bommert
Videographer archphoto Andreas Bommert