Architectural Cases

In the scenic landscape of Las Rozas, Madrid, Fran Silvestre Arquitectos has unveiled a residential marvel where five distinct cylindrical elements intertwine, dictating both the aesthetic and functional layout of the dwelling. Situated on a subtly inclined plot with expansive views of the Sierra de Guadarrama, this 370-square-meter creation employs a precise geometric strategy to delineate various living areas while maintaining a coherent architectural vision. Each cylindrical section is dedicated to a specific function, forging a harmonious composition where pathways, structural support, and habitable spaces all emanate from the same fundamental geometric framework.

Far from being isolated forms, these circular structures are elegantly connected by a series of rectilinear intersections, facilitating smooth transitions between rooms. This thoughtful arrangement also encloses a compact central courtyard, which serves as the heart of the project. It effectively draws natural light deep into the interior of the house, simultaneously establishing visual links between the various volumes and the breathtaking natural environment that encompasses the property.

The natural contours of the building site significantly influence the structure's overall appearance. Angled cuts at the base of each cylindrical form allow them to gracefully conform to the varying terrain, requiring minimal alteration to the landscape. Similarly, the angled rooflines echo the traditional pitched roofs found in the region's residential architecture. These deliberate geometric interventions thoughtfully integrate skylights and strategically placed openings, designed to capture and modulate natural light throughout the day. Expansive glazed panels, meticulously installed by the Valencia-based team, dissolve the boundaries between the interior and the lush gardens, inviting terraces, and distant mountain vistas. This allows each section of the house to forge its own intimate connection with the surrounding environment. Together with the central courtyard, these external spaces craft a diverse array of sheltered and open zones, expertly balancing the need for privacy with the desire for expansive views across the property.

The architectural language of the project, while rigorously geometric, is deeply enriched by artistic inspirations. The designers cite Spanish sculptor Andreu Alfaro’s iconic ‘Homage to Brâncuși’ as a pivotal early influence. This artistic reference is evident in the translation of the sculpture’s repetitive simple forms into an architectural system governed by principles of proportion, rhythm, and subtle variation. The outcome is a living space where identical geometric elements give rise to a rich tapestry of diverse spatial experiences. Throughout the home, meticulous minimalist detailing accentuates the inherent clarity of the overarching design, allowing the interplay of geometry, light, and landscape to command central attention. The circular volumes, orthogonal junctions, and precisely framed views collectively culminate in a residence that is both a striking sculptural statement and a highly practical living environment, showcasing the studio's ongoing commitment to exploring architecture through exact forms and a refined material palette.

Hall 5, an innovative design studio, is revolutionizing waste management within the surfboard industry by giving discarded materials a new lease on life. Founded by Ignacio Abaitua and his daughter Carlota in Zarautz, located on Spain's scenic Basque coast, the studio focuses on transforming excess resin and fiberglass, typically considered manufacturing waste, into a diverse array of functional and artistic pieces. Their creations span furniture, various containers, coasters, and soap dishes, all characterized by unique colors and textures that highlight the studio's commitment to sustainability and creative reuse.

Ignacio Abaitua, with over three decades of experience overseeing production at the Pukas surfboard factory, recognized the potential in the accumulated resin and fiberglass waste. This insight spurred him to explore methods for repurposing these materials. In early 2024, he and Carlota embarked on developing a meticulous artisanal process. Their goal was to integrate at least 50% recycled content into each new product, thereby significantly reducing environmental impact while producing aesthetically rich items.

The core of Hall 5's innovation lies in its ability to convert solidified resin, a byproduct of surfboard glassing, into a valuable raw material. High-performance surfboards, being largely custom-made, involve a glassing process where surplus polyester resin hardens on worktables. This hardened resin, previously unusable for new boards, now forms the foundation for Hall 5's creations. The studio meticulously collects both clear and pigmented resin; the clear resin often acquires a distinct bluish hue in thicker layers, while the colored variants yield unpredictable, vibrant combinations, reflecting the day's surfboard production.

Hall 5 offers two distinct collections, each showcasing different material textures and recycling percentages. The 'Essentials' series involves crushing solid resin blocks into granules, which are then combined with epoxy resin. This mixture can be left in its natural state or pigmented before being molded, with additional fiberglass layers providing reinforcement. Products from this series incorporate approximately 50% recycled material and exhibit a dense, terrazzo-like appearance. The 'Unic-oh!' collection, conversely, utilizes larger, manually broken fragments of colored resin. These fragments are carefully arranged in molds and bound with epoxy, creating truly unique compositions that cannot be replicated due to the variable nature of the available colors from surfboard production. These one-of-a-kind items boast an impressive recycled material content of up to 70%, effectively turning the visual remnants of surfboard manufacturing into the signature aesthetic of each design.

This pioneering endeavor by Hall 5 not only tackles industrial waste but also introduces a fresh perspective on product design, demonstrating how discarded materials can be transformed into beautiful and practical objects. The studio's work embodies a fusion of craftsmanship and environmental consciousness, setting a new standard for sustainable manufacturing within the design world.