Jatoba: The Perfect Complement
A Visually Interactive Residence
"There must be surprise, mystery, beauty and delight; elements that make architecture rewarding to its users for a lifetime. This is one of the primary differences between architecture and building. It is the architect's responsibility to go beyond the mere program and into the realm of the spiritual."
— Robert Harvey Oshatz, Architect
Jatoba: The Perfect Complement
Oshatz then found the perfect complement to these materials in Jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril) wood. All of the interior cabinets, trim work, doors and window mullions in the residence are fashioned from Brazilian Jatoba. "Jatoba had the aesthetics I was seeking for this home," said Oshatz. "It complements all the other elements without creating a busy look or distracting from the beauty and resonance of the overall space."
Jatoba, like its cousin Ipe, is prized for its hardness, density and strength. Also known as Brazilian Cherry, the wood has a rich brown color and a linear interlocking grain that sets off the home's sienna-red finished concrete floors, light colored stonework and hemlock ceilings. "Its warm, subdued tone and quiet grain complemented the other natural elements and made it an ideal solution," said Oshatz.
"Jatoba is also extremely hard, scratch resistant and durable," he noted. "And that's important in a household with four lively young children." The Jatoba was so hard, that the mullions between the large glass panes of the exterior door and window faces had to be specially engineered in order to not strip the assembly hardware.
A Visually Interactive Residence
The use of floor-to-ceiling glass panels ensures that the residences magnificent lake views can be seen from within. Oshatz built into the site using a radial plan consisting of a series of independent radii. The primary radius spans the contours of the site, following a path that maintains a convex aspect to the lake and skirts all the existing trees. Each subsequent radius is related so that the spaces are simultaneously logical, free flowing and harmonious.
The interior of the home extends outward from a central atrium which is anchored by a cylindrical stone core. A cantilevered staircase clad in Jatoba wraps around the core,
Continued on page 18
Frequently asked questions
What wood species was used for the interior cabinets and trim of the Oshatz residence?+
All of the interior cabinets, trim work, doors and window mullions in the residence are fashioned from Brazilian Jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril).
Why did architect Robert Harvey Oshatz choose Jatoba for the home's interior?+
Oshatz selected Jatoba for its aesthetics, noting that its warm, subdued tone and quiet grain complemented the other natural elements without creating a busy look or distracting from the overall space.
What are the characteristics of Jatoba wood?+
Jatoba, also known as Brazilian Cherry, is prized for its hardness, density and strength. It features a rich brown color and a linear interlocking grain, and is extremely scratch resistant and durable.
What challenges did the hardness of Jatoba present during construction?+
The Jatoba was so hard that the mullions between the large glass panes of the exterior doors and windows had to be specially engineered to avoid stripping the assembly hardware.
How does Jatoba complement the other materials in the Oshatz residence?+
The wood's rich brown color sets off the home's sienna-red finished concrete floors, light colored stonework and hemlock ceilings, creating a harmonious natural palette.
How is the Oshatz residence designed to showcase its lake views?+
The home uses floor-to-ceiling glass panels to ensure the lake views are visible from within. It was built on a radial plan whose primary radius follows the site contours, maintaining a convex aspect to the lake while skirting existing trees.