INITIAL STATE

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The Plot and Exterior

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The plot consists of a single, compact main building on the ground and first floors, which occupies most of the central space. It is surrounded by a series of exterior spaces connected to the ground floor, including an auxiliary building used as a barbecue area (paellero) and a swimming pool, among other secondary and recreational features. The exteriors are, therefore, understood to be primarily for sports and recreation.

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These outdoor areas also feature a series of access points to the first floor, such as stairs, a main access ramp, and built-in planters, which are unorganized and hinder circulation, making it difficult to move around easily. In addition to these specific architectural elements, the exteriors currently have a series of different and random ground levels with various finishes, predominantly poorly maintained continuous concrete paving. Other scattered paving types are as follows: in the south area, there is ceramic tile paving, river stone tiles, natural stone slabs, and an unpaved area with bare soil. In the north part of the plot, specifically around its perimeter, two different types of cement tiles are found.

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Main Building

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The main building, primarily used as a home on its upper floor with a secondary use for storage on the lower floor, is noticeably composed of three additions, likely built in different phases using what appears to be self-construction methods. Architecturally, the building is characterized by a hipped roof with concrete tiles and a series of segmental arches on the facades closest to the front of the plot. All walls on the upper floor are plastered with traditional Tyrolean render and painted white, while the entire lower floor is faced with stone cladding, turning this lower area into the base of the house. The windows are white aluminum with thermal breaks and double glazing.

 

DETECTED HANDICAPS

 

A series of problems need to be resolved, such as: there is currently no physical and direct connection between the house and the garden, which means the barbecue area and the pool are detached from the living space. There are a series of access elements that severely hinder passage and uninterrupted circulation around the house, acting as architectural barriers and making it difficult to use the exterior spaces. Additionally, the ground levels are not clearly defined but rather disparate, leading to discontinuities, architectural barriers, and, again, poorly utilized spaces.

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INTERVENTION STRATEGY

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- Phase I. The plan is to intervene in the entire exterior of the plot with the aim of creating better access from the street, improving circulation, and creating coherent zones with specific functions, uses, and spatial relationships. The goal is to better connect the interior living spaces with the garden and its associated areas. These improvements will involve a series of modifications to the current exterior levels, and will also include three new circular-geometry elements that will enhance the overall design:

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 · The first element involves adding a new lightweight pergola next to the current barbecue area. It will be made with a metal structure, tension cables, and a plant covering of ivy.

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 · The second element will be an extension of the lower floor, with a new porch connected to the exterior. This will also include a space for storing bicycles and gardening equipment. This new porch, along with the roof of the new storage area, will serve as a terrace and ramp to connect the main bedroom with the barbecue and pool area.

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 · The third element will be a semicircular patio. This will not only create a transition space and visual filter between the interior of the ground floor of the house but will also allow for the delivery or finishing of the front access staircase on its right side. At the same time, it will bridge the height difference between the staircase and the lower level.

 

The intervention also seeks to incorporate more vegetation areas in the form of flowerbeds, shrubs, and larger plants, placed in planters, to balance the paved areas and create a more pleasant environment for the users.

Additionally, a minimal intervention will be carried out in the storage area on the main building's lower floor with the following objectives: first, to create new openings in the facades to allow natural light to enter; and second, to repair and consolidate this space, which is currently underutilized due to various pathologies it has suffered over time, such as moisture and peeling interior coatings.

 

- Phase II. In this phase, the main goal is to consolidate the interior of the storage space by applying new coatings once the walls have been repaired in the first phase. The electrical installations will also be completed to ensure optimal artificial lighting and provide a series of outlets that will be useful to the homeowners.

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- Phase III. This phase proposes a partial redistribution of the current living spaces and the specific modification of some facade openings on the upper floor. The goal is to enhance the original architecture of the house and, at the same time, improve the living spaces: better cross-views between spaces, a better visual connection with the outside, improved space proportions, more natural light throughout all rooms, and better natural ventilation. The aim is to create a more direct relationship between the daytime areas and the current porch, as well as greater acoustic separation between day and night spaces. In short, the objective is to improve the architectural value of the building and enhance user comfort.

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The parts of the house that will be altered are all except for the four bedrooms.

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OPERATIONS TO BE PERFORMED

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The project is based on the clients' need to intervene in three different areas, which are resolved in three phases:

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- Phase I. Intervention on the exteriors, repair of the pool basin, modification and repair of the main building's ground-floor facades, and extension of the ground floor.

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- Phase II. Minimal interior renovation of the lower floor of the current garage-storage area.

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​- Phase III. Interior renovation of the upper floor of the current home, modification and repair of the main building's upper-floor facades.

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EVOLUTION OF THE PROPOSAL AND ADAPTATION TO THE BUDGET

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Throughout the process, the project undergoes a formal refinement to adapt to the clients' budget, evolving towards a more sober and balanced design. These changes and newfound sobriety are also evident through changes in the use of materials.