The Belvedere / Romero & Vallejo

The Belvedere / Romero & Vallejo - Exterior PhotographyThe Belvedere / Romero & Vallejo - Interior Photography, Shelving, ChairThe Belvedere / Romero & Vallejo - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Table, Chair, WindowsThe Belvedere / Romero & Vallejo - Interior Photography, Facade, WindowsThe Belvedere / Romero & Vallejo - More Images+ 16

  • Architects: Romero & Vallejo
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  195
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2020
  • Photographs
  • Manufacturers Brands with products used in this architecture project
    Manufacturers:  AutoDesk, Acdo, Ceramica Calaf serie Barcelona, Diabla, Gan Rugs, Now Carpets, Santa & Cole
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The Belvedere / Romero & Vallejo - Exterior Photography
© Ángel Segura

Text description provided by the architects. Situated next to the river Tajo, the city of Toledo, a World Heritage Site since 1986, is home to Mudéjar architectural gems, Islamic art, Roman ruins and renaissance, and baroque works. The Belvedere House is located on the southern slope of Toledo's historic town centre, in one of the areas seen in one of the most emblematic views of the city.

The Belvedere / Romero & Vallejo - Exterior Photography
© Juan Carlos Quindós
The Belvedere / Romero & Vallejo - Image 17 of 21
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The Belvedere / Romero & Vallejo - Exterior Photography
© Ángel Segura

One of the main challenges was how to integrate contemporary architecture into an area with such an important historical tradition, in a way that meant the end result would also have a big presence in the city. "...it was a case of striking a balance between respecting the historical context but, at the same time, maintaining the features of a contemporary property." 

The Belvedere / Romero & Vallejo - Interior Photography, Facade, Windows
© Ángel Segura

The project sits on a small plot of land with a façade measuring 8m and depth of 13m. It is accessed from a steep winding street.  The property is situated at the end of the street. Inside the plot there is a "patio" on the longitudinal side that allowed us to create a false façade offering impressive views of the surroundings and giving it optimum lighting and ventilation.

The Belvedere / Romero & Vallejo - Interior Photography
© Ángel Segura
The Belvedere / Romero & Vallejo - Image 19 of 21
Elevation
The Belvedere / Romero & Vallejo - Interior Photography, Windows
© Ángel Segura

The front of the property takes advantage of the very steep street, named "Cuesta del Can", by having two entrances to the property. The first entrance, a porch at the front of the property, is on the ground floor of the building and has direct access to the "patio". There is also a small apartment on this level for guests.

The Belvedere / Romero & Vallejo - Exterior Photography
© Ángel Segura

The second entrance is on the first floor of the building and is the most convenient entrance when returning from the city centre. This floor has bedrooms and a small study. From there, you can go up to the top floor which has an open-plan kitchen diner, and living room, the entire length of which leads onto a terrace (loggia style), offering a framed view of the countryside and protecting the interior of the south side of the property from too much exposure to the sun. It is also the most distinctive feature of the property.

The Belvedere / Romero & Vallejo - Interior Photography, Shelving, Chair
© Ángel Segura

There is a direct line of sight from one entrance to the other inside the property through a transparent glass wall, which aims to open up the small entrance area and allow natural light to shine in through the lattice to the ground floor.  

The Belvedere / Romero & Vallejo - Interior Photography, Kitchen, Table, Chair, Windows
© Juan Carlos Quindós

In terms of construction, the building sits on a concrete perimeter foundation, all of which is structural. Sometimes it acts like an edge beam for the pile caps and others like a retaining wall to counter the earth pressure from the perimeter, street and foundation of the neighbouring buildings. As a result, we were presented with very poor construction conditions. 

The Belvedere / Romero & Vallejo - Interior Photography, Stairs, Arch
© Ángel Segura

The foundation supports a number of load-bearing walls that became small pillars on the south side of the property. Designed with attention to detail and clever use of the materials available, this property is a piece of contemporary, relaxed and modest architecture. 

The Belvedere / Romero & Vallejo - Exterior Photography
© Juan Carlos Quindós

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Project location

Address:Toledo, Spain

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
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Cite: "The Belvedere / Romero & Vallejo" [Casa Mirador del Valle / Romero & Vallejo] 12 Oct 2020. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/949237/the-belvedere-romero-and-vallejo> ISSN 0719-8884

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