Imagine, for a moment, that you're a super-villain searching for the perfect secret lair. You could do worse than Casa Brutale: a remarkable project that combines brutalist muscle with James Bond villain-chic. More than mere fanciful rendering, it's about to begin construction in Lebanon and is expected to be completed in 2018, with an estimated budget of US$2.5 million.

Casa Brutale is the work of Greece and Netherlands-based OPA (Open Platform for Architecture). The project initially started out as an exercise in conceptual architecture not unlike Modscape's Cliff House. However, the firm was contacted by Demco Properties CEO Alex Demirdjia, who wanted to commission it, so engineering firm Arup was duly enlisted to help make it happen.

It's early days yet, but the initial stages of construction are about to begin on the Faqra mountainside, outside Beirut, Lebanon. Based at an altitude of 1,600 m (5,249 ft), the home will face northwest toward the Lebanese countryside, though not toward the sea as shown on the renders (the project was originally imagined for Greece).
Some other minor changes may take place too, but the overall form of the home shown in the renders will be maintained.

Structurally, the 270 sq m (2,906 sq ft) Casa Brutale will be defined by thick concrete slabs left unfinished even on the inside, the cold effect softened only by some aged wooden beams. The home will be topped by a reinforced glass pool that doubles as a roof, and fronted by a large glazed facade.
Access to the home is gained either from above via a long concrete staircase or from beneath, via an elevator inside the home's three-car underground garage. The interior includes four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a lounge area, dining area (with concrete dining table), and kitchen.

Love or hate its distinctive styling, Casa Brutale is certainly a change from the norm. Its construction is sure to prove an engineering challenge too, especially taking into account issues of structural integrity and the worry of an earthquake damaging its large rooftop pool. We'll check in on this one for more details as the build develops.

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