Casa 108, Costa Brava Home, Property, Building, Photos, Architect, New Spanish House

Casa 108 – Catalunya : Costa Brava House

Costa Brava residential building design by H Arquitectes, Spain

post updated 4 May 2024

Casa 108, Santa Cristina d’Aro, Catalunya, Spain

2005

Design: H ARQUITECTES

House 108

9 Jan 2009

Casa Costa Brava

Although located in one of the most untouched areas of the Costa Brava, Rosamar housing development is characterized by a mix of different constructions and auto-constructions of a low architectural interest and a large impact on the landscape.

As a response to that situation, this project looks to respect the natural environment on this strongly slopped plot with dense Mediterranean vegetation. We tried to modify as little as possible the environment by building the house on a slope, and thus reducing the land movements, foundation and generation of waste products. We also have maintained the vegetation in order to not lose the current shaded and cool ambience as well as a sensible design of the exterior elements – wooden stairs following the natural slope and a minimal perimeter fence.

Through this section’s adaptation to the original topographical profile, we were able to connect each of the interior ambiances with the garden through wide regular openings that fuses the exterior with the interior; it assures permanent natural light, allows cross-ventilation and multiplies the control options of interior comfort. At the same time, its growing sloped geometry towards the south facilitates the renovation of hot air through the superior façade, and the capturing of new fresh air thorough the inferior one, towards the north.

All of the openings have three fencing levels: adjustable shutters that guarantee sun protection in the summer and captures the sun’s radiation in the winter, a mosquito net which allows ventilation and protects from the insects, and finally, interior aluminum carpentry with a thermal bridge break and double glass with an interior chamber. The three panes are sliding and they can be hidden within the ventilated chamber of the façade, therefore obtaining complete openings on the construction which intensify the relationship with the environment and the perception of the walls.

The façade is built with ventilated double panes and an interior bearing wall. Hence we improved the insulation, the thermal inertia and air tightness; we minimized the thermal bridges and the possible condensations and avoided cracks due to the cross of the façade’s vertical plane with the suspended floor and the roof plane. It even allowed us to reduce the light in order to cover it with self-supporting main beams that didn’t need formwork.

The southern façade, with more sun exposure, has a natural shade: deciduous climbing plants protect it from the sun’s direct radiation in the summer and allows the sun to enter in the winter.

The roof has little sun exposure because it faces the north and is protected with vegetation. It is finished with zinc over a waterproof board with a ventilated chamber and interior insulation. The concrete pavements work as thermal storage through direct radiation and greenhouse effect, giving the building a selective inertia depending on the solar protection system used.

As a result, we have a second residence with a calculated program, with the minimal cost in meters, the maximum compactness, easy construction and minimal energetic investment at work and in the maintenance. And furthermore… has completely satisfied the developer.

DETAILED LIST OF MATERIALS

1. Zinc sheet DEXTER type e=0.65mm of 400x835mm
2. Ventilated air chamber
3. Thermal insulation of extruded polystyrene sheet e=6cm
4. Painted plaster
5. Non-structural wall of 9cm
6. Air chamber
7. Structural wall of perforated brick
8. Exterior carpentry for sliding panes of triple rail of anodized aluminum.
9. Sliding pane with adjustable aluminum slats
10. Mosquito net. Sliding pane
11. Sliding balcony of silver anodized aluminium. Climalit 4/6/6
12. Natural “Bateig” stone, 3cm saw cut with throat
13. Ventilated suspended floor of 25+5cm edge. Inter-axis 70cm
14. Bitumen waterproofing sheet
15. Air chamber
16. Non-structural wall of 9cm

Costa Brava House – Building Information

Architects: H ARQUITECTES
Casa 108 Photos: Starp Estudi
Situation: Santa Cristina d’Aro, Girona
Author: H ARQUITECTES (David Lorente, Josep Ricart, Xavier Ros, Roger Tudó)
Collaborators: Felip Toledo, Technical architect
Customer: Steven Hind & Beatriz Escolano

Year of realization: 2002-05
Surface constructed: 109 sqm
Budget: 154.000€

Casa Santa Cristina d’Aro images / information from H ARQUITECTES

H ARQUITECTES

Location: Santa Cristina d’Aro, Catalunya, Spain