PROMOTER: PRIVATE  ·  ARCHITECT: ERIC AZNAR SANS  ·  BUDGET: 309.223,87€  ·  LOCATION: PALAMÓS - CATALUNYA (SPAIN)  ·  TYPE OF INTERVENTION: REFURBISHMENT & EXTENSION   ·  STATUS: UNDER CONSTRUCTION   ·   DATES: 2024

INITIAL STATE

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The Plot

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The plot, which is the subject of this project, is 283.00m² and is located in the center-south of the municipality of Palamós. Geometrically, it is characterized by being considerably narrow from north to south and long from east to west.

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Topographically, although the plot is almost flat, it is part of an urban block with a considerable slope. The plot itself is at the lowest point, and therefore, it is more sunken or buried than the rest of the built-up area. The current ground level is 100cm above the street sidewalk, with this difference in elevation separated by the current front fence wall. Access is gained via stairs that connect the two levels. At the back of the plot, beyond the boundary, the terrain begins to acquire a considerably steep upward slope.

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The Pre-existing Built Volumes

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On the other hand, the plot contains a main building, which is rectangular with a single ground floor, and is attached to only one of the party walls shared with the neighbor (to the north). It is separated by approximately 70cm from the opposite party wall. This building has a second, single-story volume attached to its rear section, which is non-compliant because it exceeds the permitted buildable depth.

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DETECTED HANDICAPS

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- Geometry of the Plot: The geometry is trapezoidal, very narrow, and considerably long in depth, which complicates and conditions the spatial configuration, as well as sun exposure and ventilation.

- Topography of the Plot: The pre-existing ground level and the interior pavement were 1.00m above the street level and were accessed by stairs that were not adaptable for a reduced mobility system. Moreover, the natural profile of the site was sloped, and when the original house was built, instead of adapting to it, the ground was lowered, leaving the house very sunken in relation to the neighboring buildings. This point relates to the next one.

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- Enclosure in Relation to Neighboring Houses: The plot and its built volumes are considerably sunken in relation to the neighboring buildings. This is due to two things: the first, related to the topography, and the second, related to the height of the adjacent buildings. Consequently, this problem leads to a lack of sunlight and ventilation difficulties.

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INTERVENTION STRATEGY

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Based on the use of the main volume and the pre-existing, non-compliant rear volume, the plan is to create a third, new volume at the front of the plot and raise the main volume. The three structuring volumes leave three empty spaces, which materialize as three interior courtyards: a front courtyard for access to the plot and house, a second courtyard that serves as a central space, and a third courtyard at the back. Two interstitial spaces also appear between the three main volumes, understood as voids, from which two flat slabs emerge, containing the bathrooms of the lower habitable floor and extending outwards as canopies.