It is not every day that a music superstar welcomes us into their home, so when our Cartagena-based contributor (since 2008, no less) Rainbow Nelson helped us get this invite from Colombian Reggaeton legend J Balvin, we naturally jumped to the opportunity. Not least because this is a musical maverick of enormous talent and influence; but also as the new J Balvin home we were invited to see was created by one of the country's most exciting architecture studios, 5solidos, led by Daniel Correa, Maria José Fernandez and Elisa Ortega out of their Medellin offce.
Our May issue's J Balvin home shoot
More portrait options shot at Casa Aire
Nelson and acclaimed photographer and long term Wallpaper* contributor Stefan Ruiz made the trip to the leafy mountains of Medellin to explore the elegant residence and talk to its illustrious owner last February. Named Casa Aire, the architecture is ‘zero flex’, to put it in the reggaeton lexicon of its owner, Nelson writes.
‘I've lived in Colombia for 20 years and J Balvin has become something of a national treasure in that time,' he says. ‘He's absolutely huge here. He's been one of the country's most impressive musical success stories and Colombia loves a homegrown international success story. It was exciting to get the chance to meet him and see the outcome of his collaboration with 5Solidos - an impressive design and architecture studio that I've been following for a couple of years. Add to that the chance to impress my teenage boys who are big fans of Balvin and it was a story that I couldn't resist.'
Looking at the final imagery, It's impossible to guess that rain was pounding on the day of the shoot, thanks to Ruiz's photography magic
The architecture is of course, also striking - as is its location. Nelson continues: ‘The view's incredible. Jose [Balvin] picked an amazing spot high up in the hills outside Medellin and the architects did a brilliant job of honoring the natural setting. It's a very peaceful place. I'd say my favorite spot would be one of the Restoration Hardware sofas staring out at the changing landscape.'
‘It’s really, really subtle, because one thing is the way I express myself as an artist, the other one is the way my soul expresses itself,’ says Balvin, during the interview at Casa Aire. ‘This is my soul here. I’m not about flexing. When I come back home, my soul rests. It’s not about showing off, it’s about creating something with nature. Like everything in life, the simple things are the most amazing.’
Left to right, Stefan Ruiz, J Balvin, Rainbow Nelson, and production assistant Milena Gomez
Striking views of Colombian nature from Casa Aire
INFORMATION
-
Formafantasma’s biodiversity-boosting installation in a Perrier Jouët vineyard is cross-pollination at its bestFormafantasma and Perrier Jouët unveil the first project in their ‘Cohabitare’ initiative, ‘not only a work of art but also a contribution to the ecosystem’
-
Gingerbread City: architects sculpt London out of the season's favourite treatUntil December 29 in Chelsea, see London brought to life in a seasonal-appropriate medium by leading architects and designers
-
New Revox B77 MK III reel-to-reel tape recorder, and more cassette tape-based trickeryThe new Revox B77 MK III might be the ultimate analogue flex. In response, we’ve explored the outer reaches of cassette tape design
-
Remembering Alexandros Tombazis (1939-2024), and the Metabolist architecture of this 1970s eco-pioneerBack in September 2010 (W*138), we explored the legacy and history of Greek architect Alexandros Tombazis, who this month celebrates his 80th birthday.
-
Sun-drenched Los Angeles houses: modernism to minimalismFrom modernist residences to riveting renovations and new-build contemporary homes, we tour some of the finest Los Angeles houses under the Californian sun
-
Casa Monoculo offers a take on treetop living in BrazilCasa Monoculo by architect Alan Chu is a house raised above the treetops in Alto Paraiso City, Brazil
-
Tasmania house brings minimalist glass and concrete to rural KoonyaA Tasmania house designed in immaculate minimalist architecture by Room 11 makes the most of its idyllic Koonya location
-
Lenny Steinberg invites us to her Los Angeles home: watch the filmInside the Venice Beach home of designer Lenny Steinberg, who takes inspiration from movement and music, and guides us through her treasures
-
This extended 1970s classic home is a greatest hits of Brazilian designThis expansive São Paulo residential complex blends 1970s classic references, modernist design from all eras, bold new additions and a thorough internal restoration
-
130 William by Adjaye Associates’ holistic vision is unveiled in New YorkWe unveil the holistic design of Adjaye Associates’ 130 William, the residential scheme that has just completed in New York
-
Seosaeng House is a holiday home designed to capture the rising sunSeosaeng House, Studio Weave’s first project in South Korea, is a clifftop holiday home perfectly designed to capture a new day dawning over the East Sea
