The plot is located on the northeast coast of Minorca, Spain, with a magnificent view over the sea. The house sits at the highest point of the plot and the main entrance is located on the first floor. To ensure a clear view of the ocean, the dayarea is located on the first floor and the bedrooms on the groundfloor. Only the master bedroom can be found on the top floor, so that the summer house is easy to open and close for weekend stays.
The strong contrast between the openness of the sea-view facade and the opacity of the side and back facades create a strong framing effect. To further enhance this gesture, the roof is inclined, opening up towards the view and the whole front facade is glazed from floor to ceiling with large sliding windows. Using a prefabricated hollow core slab for the roof, usually found only in industrial buildings, allows an 11-metre large span to cover a column free terrace with completely undisturbed views. One prefabricated element was intentionally removed from the roof to create a large frameless skylight that brings light to the windowless back.
From the kitchen and livingroom, there are large sliding windows that can open up to a 43 square metre large covered terrace where gatherings often take place. The master bedroom has a private balcony with no visual connection to the common terrace. Each of the remaining bedrooms all have their individual private bathrooms and terraces, plus an extra livingroom.
In situ concrete was chosen for the facade as a zero maintenance material that would age beautifully in Minorca’s aggressive climate of high humidity and extreme salt levels. The house’s off-white facade blends in with the ochre and terracotta coloured soil that surrounds the house. Finally, a band of vertical striped relief goes around the façade organizing all windows and doors.
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