This project, situated on a steeply sloping plot, transforms the elevation change into its greatest asset, leveraging the perfect south orientation and exceptional sea views to create a flexible development with a seamless connection to the outdoors.

SITE IMPLEMENTATION

We are located in a residential area approximately 500 meters above sea level in the Barcelona metropolitan area, offering exceptional sea views.

Our clients’ plot is entirely south-facing and features a pronounced slope, which dictates the project’s implementation due to the need to create various retaining levels.

Furthermore, we faced the added complexity that access to the plot is from the lowest point of the terrain. This complicates vehicular access, limiting us to pedestrian access that navigates the initial levels to reach the ideal height for enjoying sunlight and views.

PROJECT PROPOSAL

The family has a very clear idea of the program they seek for their future home, prioritizing complete flexibility.

From the initial meetings, they emphasized their intention to achieve a program with versatile spaces, as they currently have two children and anticipate a third, in addition to sporadic family visits.

Thus, we defined a program of 4 variable-use rooms that can be interchanged between a bedroom area, home office, play area, or guest space, depending on changing needs over the years.

Additionally, we decided not to forgo a direct connection between the different rooms of the program, even though they must be distributed across various floors to adapt to the terrain’s steep slope.

In this way, we created a first level that serves as a versatile basement with a guest room and play area. The main dwelling rests above it, divided into 3 levels separated by half-heights, connected by an open central staircase spanning three stories and a greenhouse patio.

The dining-kitchen areas are located on the first floor, and the night zone, with the various bedrooms or versatile rooms, is situated on the two mezzanines of the upper volume.

This results in architecturally pleasing spaces, thanks to the sense of spaciousness generated by the triple-height central area, and with interconnected rooms despite the necessary adaptation of heights to the terrain.

Furthermore, each of the main interior spaces has a direct connection to the exterior at the same level or, alternatively, to the greenhouse patio.

BIOCLIMATIC DESIGN AND WELL-BEING

We believe in designing with human well-being in mind, not only in terms of program and implementation but also in terms of bioclimatic performance and health. For this reason, we proposed the placement of a greenhouse patio at the center of the dwelling’s day areas, which serves to capture light, heat, and generate effective cross-ventilation.

The presence of this patio maximizes ventilation possibilities in a multi-story project, and it also becomes the central hub of the home, separating the day and night zones.

Moreover, the compactness of the volume is a key aspect of its bioclimatic performance. The envelope is designed to be as limited and compact as possible to prevent heat loss, while simultaneously allowing for solar gain through the patio’s arrangement.

CONSTRUCTION SOLUTION

From a construction perspective, the project is divided into bands that respond to the need for containment due to the terrain’s steep slope.

Containment is achieved using in-situ concrete walls to ensure optimal execution, overcoming the significant elevation changes of the terrain.

The wall begins at the lower access level of the terrain, acting as a plinth and aiming to integrate the project into the landscape. This prevents any single band from appearing disproportionately large in relation to the overall structure.

Above the containment and foundation level, a structure of double-leaf brick load-bearing walls rises on both the ground floor and the first two levels. This differs from the night zone, which is finished with a single-leaf brick wall system with an external thermal insulation composite system (ETICS).

The constructive difference responds both to the compositional logic of the facades and the differentiation between night and day zones, a strategy reinforced by a change in the exterior finish. The first floor is given a white-painted brick appearance, while the upper levels are finished with an enameled tile volume.

This change in finishes, always in neutral tones, adds a certain contrast between the different levels, helping to contain the geometry of the ensemble and reflecting the difference in uses.

The same applies to the conventional flooring system of ceramic vaults with half-round joists and concrete beams that resolve the different levels. Upon reaching the roof, these are replaced by a wooden structure that accommodates the inclined slopes and reflects a commitment to a natural and warm material visible from inside the bedroom areas.