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Architects: MVN Arquitectos
- Area: 408 m²
- Year: 2012
Text description provided by the architects. A terrace was created which allowed us to open up the views overlooking the sea on one side and mountains on the other. We located the building at the edge of the northern boundary at the highest viewpoint as the southern part was very steep. From this position we designed a floor layout that allowed us to enjoy the double prospect of the building and at the same time taking maximum advantage of what the site has to offer.
The overall form of the building has a base element which is made of stone, this provides the living areas of the house, whilst the three cubic white elements above, represent the more private areas.
The entrance is situated in the northeast corner, where is located a staircase blend with the garden that leads us to the ground floor, two meters above street level. The access to the house is protected by a big cantilever corresponding to the room’s volume in the first floor. Inside, a glass enclosed courtyard defines the area of the living quarters on all four sides. The living room faces southeast and is open to the swimming pool in the foreground and the sea in the distance. The kitchen-dining area faces southwest and opens out onto the mountainside and the guest bedroom faces northeast and has views of a secluded garden, whilst the main entrance faces northeast.
A staircase supported by the patio limits, take us to the top floor. Here is the corridor faced onto the living room that distributes among the main bedroom and the children bedrooms with a shared bathroom. The same staircase leads us to the basement, where it starts the patio which both lights and ventilates the interior areas. The building facilities are centralized in this floor, as well as the pantry, the garden storeroom and the garage. It can be reached from the street practically at level. On the top floor, the bedrooms are located in two independent blocks. In an attempt to harmonise the building within the landscape, stepped terraces have been incorporated to the immediate area around the house. Green areas are interspersed with pavement to generate pleasant spaces.
The geometry of the building itself creates shaded areas which are so important in this climate, and together with the vegetation they provide a cool and attractive environment. The vegetation chosen for the garden is based on low-maintenance native species such as carob, mastic, olive or orange.
