Topographic House / MiAS Arquitectes

Architects: MiAS Arquitectes / Josep Miàs
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Project Year: 2009
Project Area: 700 sqm
Photographs: Adrià Goula

Technical Architect: Carles Bou
Structural Consultants: BOMA
Interiors: Blanca Tai, Victoria Ayesta
Project Team: Silvia Brandi, Adriana Porta, Mario Blanco, Josep Puigdemont, Fausto Raposo, Daniel Montes, Francesca Giovaninni, Benedetta Slucca

The house lays along its longitudinal axis and the view of the landscape, facing the sea, is one of the most important values for the project, which unfolds itself and gets mixed with topography.

The project begins from the topographical understanding of the place. By re-drawing the contour lines, possible spaces to occupy appear, from the underground parking to the hanging planes of the studio. These curves, rising from the concrete retaining walls, decrease, but are still visible and able to construct spaces through long overlaid metal beams.

Curves flow along the site and blur at the ends, blending with the topography. The house acts as a large window, framing the beautiful view of the sea and village. The upper zone of the house has a thin panoramic space that offers the most privileged views of the house. This ‘skeleton’ is coated with zinc, a very fabric-like material, that can be used in such zigzag shapes, on the stone areas and on the walls surrounding other spaces of the house.