Built at a spectacular location between El Portixol and Cala Blanca, the Sardinera House was designed by Ramón Esteve and boasts an east-west orientation that ensures that it benefits from the local breezes as much as possible. Its western facade boasts an adjustable blade that can be steered accordingly in order to ensure protection from the sun during the summer or to capture its rays during the winter. The east facade receives protection courtesy of overhangs.
High thermal insulation was achieved by enveloping the house with 3.9 inches of high-density extruded polystyrene. Water for irrigation is gathered within an underground tank, which is located directly under the outdoor swimming pool and flaunts a capacity of 26,417 gallons. The residence’s home automation system allows the owner to control pretty much everything, including the lighting systems, irrigation and air conditioning in order to make sure that energy consumption levels are kept as low as possible. Sardinera House features 13,831 square feet of living space, which is more than enough for any regular-sized family.
From the architect:
Located in a setting of great beauty and valuable landscape, in front of the Mediterranean Sea, between El Portixol and Cala Blanca, the Sardinera House lays on the top of a hillside, lined by a headland entering the sea on a bay of turquoise waters.
The house is oriented east-west to ensure the exploitation of the natural currents of air and sunlight. The east façade is protected by overhangs, while the west façade has an enclosure formed by a blade motorized steerable and adjustable, which protect in the summer of sunlight allowing for the passage of the breezes, in winter it is open by capturing the sun.
In the large glass surfaces has been provided a double coating with thermal and acoustic insulation with solar control. In addition, the housing presents a wraparound of ten centimeters of extruded polystyrene, high density, which ensures a high thermal insulation.
Under the outdoor swimming pool has been prepared an underground tank of 100,000 liters, where the rainwater is channeled subsequently for the use of irrigation. The groundcover vegetation of the garden is watered by exudation.
The species used in the landscaping are native to providing a high level of integration in the environment and rational behavior of the species, with a consistent and controlled consumption of water resources.
The entire House is administered through a system of home automation management, from the air conditioning, lighting, irrigation, in such a way that the energy consumption of the housing is managed optimally.
Two Sides-One House
The longitudinal façades of the house are opposite. The entrance façade, hermetical and opaque, is protected by an automatic system of adjustable shutters made of whitened Accoya wood. It protects the façade from the sun exposition and, at the same time, limits the viewing from the street.
On the contrary, the East façade is much more permeable and transparent. The concrete vertical surfaces are sealed with large glass panes, protected by cantilevers and twisting curtains that bring an ethereal Mediterranean atmosphere
Tectonic Charcater
The house has a strong tectonic character because of its expressive materials. The texture of the white concrete poured into the white timber have achieved such a resemblance that they sometimes seem the same, as it becomes apparent in the lateral windows.
Architects: Ramón Esteve
Location: Platja del Portixol, Spain
Area: 1285.0 sqm
Project Year: 2014
Photographs: Mariela Apollonio
Collaborating Architects: Anna Bosca, EstefanÃa Pérez, VÃctor Ruiz, MarÃa MartÃ
Collaborators: Tudi Soriano, Natalia Fonseca
Technical Architect: Emilio Pérez
Constructor: Construcciones Francés
Project Manager: Gonzalo Llin
Production and audiovisual: Alfonso Calza
