Architectural Cases

Alventosa Morell Arquitectes have crafted Casa CLO, a remarkable timber residence that seamlessly integrates into a challenging, steep, and rocky site along the Tarragona coastline in Spain. This innovative project emphasizes a gentle interaction with the natural environment, utilizing a lightweight structure that gracefully descends the terrain. The house is strategically positioned to navigate the existing pine forest and rugged ground, creating elevated living areas that immerse residents in the tree canopy while offering glimpses of the distant sea. The design thoughtfully addresses the site's unique characteristics, including its steep incline and limited access, by organizing the living spaces into three distinct elevated volumes. This approach not only minimizes the impact on the landscape but also leverages the natural elevation to maximize panoramic views, fulfilling the clients' desire for a tranquil retreat connected to nature.

The architectural strategy for Casa CLO was meticulously developed to respond to both the natural contours of the land and strict planning regulations. To avoid extensive and costly earthworks, the architects opted for a design that comprises three raised sections, each positioned at varying heights across the upper part of the plot. This arrangement is carefully aligned with the existing trees, resulting in a slightly rotated layout that enhances the organic feel of the entire composition and preserves the forested character of the site. The structural integrity of the house relies on a timber framework supported by ten columns, which translates the building's weight to just ten point foundations. This lightweight construction mirrors the verticality of the surrounding pine trees, extending the forest's aesthetic into the home's interior. Access to the property is ingeniously managed from the lowest point of the site, where a required excavation along the street edge provides space for parking. From there, a staircase ascends alongside the plot, leading first to a swimming pool area and then to the main entrance terrace, culminating in a double-height dining and kitchen area that visually connects all three volumes of the house. A metal staircase further facilitates movement between levels, linking to a second floor with a double-height study and a bedroom, and ultimately to two additional bedrooms on the uppermost level.

Harmonizing Architecture with Nature on a Steep Slope

Alventosa Morell Arquitectes' Casa CLO epitomizes a thoughtful integration of modern living with a challenging natural landscape. Located on the rocky, steep coast of Tarragona, Spain, the design strategically employs three elevated timber volumes that gracefully descend the terrain, minimizing disruption to the existing pine forest and rugged ground. This innovative approach ensures that the residence adapts harmoniously to its environment, providing comfortable living spaces amidst the tree canopy and offering breathtaking distant sea views. The clients, a family from Barcelona seeking a tranquil second home, entrusted the architects with the freedom to craft a design that respects and engages with its natural surroundings. The careful placement of the house's sections not only adheres to planning regulations but also avoids significant earthworks, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable and site-specific architecture.

The architectural layout of Casa CLO is a direct result of meticulous consideration for the site's unique characteristics, including its steep incline and dense pine forest. By designing three elevated volumes at different levels, the architects successfully circumvented the need for extensive and expensive excavation, ensuring that the structural footprint is minimal. Each volume is thoughtfully oriented to capitalize on the stunning sea views, which are subtly filtered through the trees, enhancing the sense of seclusion and connection to nature. The lightweight timber construction, supported by only ten strategically placed columns, further reduces the environmental impact, allowing the house to blend seamlessly with the vertical rhythm of the forest. This design choice also creates an interior atmosphere that is open and airy, reflecting the natural light and views. The thoughtful planning extends to the access points, with a dedicated parking area at the lowest level that integrates with existing regulations, and a scenic staircase leading to the main living areas and swimming pool, creating a journey through the landscape before entering the home.

The Verticality of Living: Casa CLO's Interior Design and Structure

Casa CLO's internal structure and design are a testament to how architectural elements can mimic and enhance the natural environment. The decision to use a timber structure with the entire load transferred to ten columns was a conscious effort by Alventosa Morell Arquitectes to echo the verticality of the surrounding pine forest. This not only creates a visually striking interior but also minimizes the building's footprint, allowing it to perch lightly on the challenging terrain. The strategic placement of these columns and the resulting open-plan spaces foster a continuous dialogue between the indoor environment and the natural world outside. Upon entering, residents are greeted by a double-height dining area and kitchen, a central hub that visually connects the distinct volumes and facilitates an expansive, shared living experience. This design promotes a sense of communal gathering while maintaining individual privacy within the various elevated sections of the home.

The interior journey through Casa CLO is characterized by a dynamic interplay of levels and spaces, designed to maximize both functionality and aesthetic appeal. A sleek metal staircase serves as a prominent feature, seamlessly linking the different floors and guiding residents through the various living zones. This staircase leads to a second floor that houses a double-height study, a space designed for contemplation and work, offering ample natural light through a large skylight. Adjacent to the study is a comfortable bedroom, providing a private retreat within the multi-level dwelling. Further ascent reveals two additional bedrooms on the top floor, each offering unique perspectives of the surrounding forest and the distant sea. The consistent use of timber throughout the interiors defines Casa CLO's material palette, creating a warm, inviting, and cohesive atmosphere. This material choice not only reinforces the connection to the natural environment but also contributes to the lightweight and sustainable character of the entire residence, ensuring a harmonious living experience.

Harmonious Living: Where Nature and Architecture Converge

Embracing the Horizon: A 360-Degree Landscape Experience

The core concept of the "House in the Fields" revolves around an immersive engagement with its natural setting. Occupying a plot with historical agricultural ties, the residence is designed to maximize the breathtaking views of the surrounding meadows and forests. This architectural approach ensures that every step within the home reveals a new perspective, providing a continuous, 360-degree visual dialogue with the outdoor environment.

Modular Design: Defining Spaces with Distinct Materials

Clients' preference for a functional, unpretentious dwelling led to a modular layout, separating primary functions into three distinct volumes. Each section – dedicated to living, sleeping, and dining – is characterized by its own material palette and aesthetic. The living area, for instance, is crafted from reclaimed brick, while the sleeping quarters feature vertical timber elements, and the dining room, including the kitchen, is encased in glass, promoting both transparency and individual character.

The Unifying Canopy: A Sweeping Angled Roof

Despite their individual identities, the three architectural components are brought together under a singular, dramatically angled roof. This extensive canopy not only provides structural cohesion but also extends beyond the main volumes, creating sheltered areas that blur the distinction between indoor and outdoor spaces. The roof's varying heights play a crucial role in shaping the internal spatial dynamics, offering intimate low ceilings in some areas and soaring expanses in others.

Dynamic Interiors: Curved Walls and Strategic Views

The interior architecture employs curved walls that artfully direct circulation and frame specific sightlines, guiding residents through the dwelling while consistently connecting them to the exterior. This thoughtful design ensures that the house is not merely placed within the landscape but actively interacts with it, fostering a sense of fluidity between the built form and nature.

Crafting Connection: Purposeful Details and Personal Touches

Every element within the "House in the Fields" was meticulously co-created with the homeowners, ensuring that each feature serves a deliberate purpose. From a custom-built cabinet in the dining area that functions as both seating and an extension of the outdoor view, to a strategically placed window in the living room for sunset observation, the design prioritizes meaningful interactions. Even a small circular opening in the wall, offering a direct view to the entrance, enhances convenience. A unique detail, a compact lamp projecting from a brick wall, subtly traces the constellation 'The Big Dipper,' embedding personal narratives and aspirations into the very fabric of the home's design.