Spain Houzz Tour: Minimalist Luxury and Island Views Make a Home
This sustainable home melds with the rock bed, highlighting the sculptural beauty of the local geology
Rafael F. Bermejo
23 January 2021
This home is situated on a large plot of land next to Migjorn Beach, on the southern coast of the Spanish island of Formentera. It stands out for its spectacular Mediterranean views, looking out at a horizon interrupted only by the silhouette of the historical Pi des Català Tower, a restored defensive lookout.
Photos by Marià Castelló
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family
Location: Formentera Island, Spain
Size: 243.59 square metres and a basement of 71.73 square metres
Architecture: Marià Castelló Architecture
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A family
Location: Formentera Island, Spain
Size: 243.59 square metres and a basement of 71.73 square metres
Architecture: Marià Castelló Architecture
“Between heavy and light, earth and air, handcrafted and high-tech, this project balances at the juncture of multiple dualities,” says architect Marià Castelló in the description of this project.
The rock breaking out of the ground at the site has been handled almost as if it were a sculpture, resulting in “a void that is reminiscent of the quarries of marès stone, a typical sandstone on the Balearic Islands,” says Castelló.
The rock breaking out of the ground at the site has been handled almost as if it were a sculpture, resulting in “a void that is reminiscent of the quarries of marès stone, a typical sandstone on the Balearic Islands,” says Castelló.
Castelló designed the home for an environmentally conscious family. It incorporates passive house techniques that are proven to be effective in the local climate, and a large cistern or tank to collect rainwater. The house consists of three lightweight modules and a basement.
The home’s facade
Castelló says that this is “one of the projects where we invested more energy in the study phase”. He notes that the coherent design “emphasises two of the islands’ traditional references: the quarry, through the basement; and the coastal boathouses [for which wood is the main material], on the upper level.”
The natural cave in the patio at the main entrance was a surprise that the architect discovered while the home was already under construction.
“The appearance of a natural cave, right in the centre of one of the patios we designed, was, literally, a gift. It meant that some adjustments had to be made straight away to our original plan for the main entrance to the basement,” says Castelló.
Quality materials were prioritised in both the planning and execution stages. Castelló says that they used “natural and, when possible, local materials,” both in response to the owners’ environmental goals and to fulfil green building criteria. “The sculpted rock, gravel from the excavation work, Capri limestone, pine and fir wood, recycled cotton panels, Macael white marble, and high-permeability silicate paint were well-thought-out choices that define each space of the house.”
Layout of the basement
The house has two storeys and a roof terrace. On the lower basement level, “the clear absence of retaining walls allows the rocky substrate to come through, and there is a concrete structure [above it – the white wall in the photo above] that delineates the upper level and constitutes the support platform for the ground floor,” the architect explains.
The lower level integrates a single, 40-metre-long rock, making it one of the home’s most striking spaces. “We decided to do it this way because of the geotechnical survey carried out during the work, as well as the [beauty of the] rock that sticks out from the ground in this area, despite the extreme precision that was therefore required in the excavation phase.”
On the upper level, cross-laminated timber carries out several functions: it serves as a structural element, finish material and as the home’s doors. “What interests me most about this project is the binary opposition of materials between the basement and the ground floor,” the architect says.
In addition, he tells us that he had the full confidence of the owners, “and I think that is very clear because they allowed me to implement such a risky and unconventional proposal”.
In addition, he tells us that he had the full confidence of the owners, “and I think that is very clear because they allowed me to implement such a risky and unconventional proposal”.
Cross-ventilation helps cool the upper level
The novel approach to the downstairs bathroom applies the architect’s interest in wireframe structures that seem to ‘draw’ the space rather than create it from building components. “That is why I decided to use a 12-millimetre smooth solid rod.”
The wood laminate finish on part of the openings is the same fir timber used in the cross-laminated panels that compose the structure of the three modules on the upper floor.
The rod is the common denominator for many pieces of furniture that were created specifically for this project. Some are from Diabla, the latest outdoor furniture brand from Gandíablasco.
The wood laminate finish on part of the openings is the same fir timber used in the cross-laminated panels that compose the structure of the three modules on the upper floor.
The rod is the common denominator for many pieces of furniture that were created specifically for this project. Some are from Diabla, the latest outdoor furniture brand from Gandíablasco.
Plan of the upper level, with the master bedroom in the space on the left and the living in the centre.
The home’s unusual layout made room for patios, connecting walkways and interesting views.
The master bedroom
The architect highlights the relative independence of the master bedroom suite from the rest of the house. The terrace also “enjoys a lot of privacy from the rest of the home itself.”
The materials in this bathroom are cross-laminated fir (the structure, the enclosure and the finish are a single element), 30 x 15 centimetre white Macael marble tiles on the floor and walls and custom-made Corian elements.
The materials in this bathroom are cross-laminated fir (the structure, the enclosure and the finish are a single element), 30 x 15 centimetre white Macael marble tiles on the floor and walls and custom-made Corian elements.
The home in the distance and, to the left, the historical Pi des Català Tower
Your turn
Where would you like to spend your time if you lived in this home? In the Comments below, tell us which spaces fuel your dreams, like this story and save the images for inspiration. Go on, join the conversation.
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Where would you like to spend your time if you lived in this home? In the Comments below, tell us which spaces fuel your dreams, like this story and save the images for inspiration. Go on, join the conversation.
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Love the use of the subterranean features. Having the laundry and utility areas away from the main living area expands the living space composition. This architectural 'underground' feature would utilise Thermal mass to keep the house cool from below. Perfect for Spain and similar climates like Western Australia.
This island now has two of my favourite site specific builds. Smart, thoughtful use of materials, that use texture, light, and form to fill the senses. Lovely. To me, it does not matter how the family adds their own stuff, the home contains so much character of place, further adorned or not.
The most dynamic and attractive building. What kind of life experience can you design? wonderful.