The property proposes the transformation of the ground floor of a house between walls into a habitable space. The main requirements of the project are related to the climate conditioning: light and ventilation.
Studio Name: Taller SAU
Design Team: Lluís Jordà Sala + Pol Jordà Sala + team https://www.sausl.com/equip
Area: 120 m2
Year: 2020
Location: l’Esquirol , Barcelona, Spain
Consultants: Taller SAU
Photography Credits: Andrés Flajszer
After analysing the urban planning regulations, we came to the conclusion that the house can grow towards the courtyard by 5 metres. On the other hand, the regulations limit the roofs to sloping roofs of Arabic tile with a parallel ridge on the street.
In this context, we considered a V-shaped roof solution which provides us with 3 answers to the requirements: On the one hand, opening up to the views. The plot has an excellent orientation, and from the beginning we considered essential for the roof to be raised towards the courtyard and the views. On the other hand, if we consider a single-pitched roof facing the views, we would have an excessive volume that would deprive us of views, light and ventilation to the pre-existing first-floor dwelling and would give a sensation of interior space to the proposal.
Therefore, the option of a V-shaped roof gives us the possibility of opening up to the views and limiting the interior clear ceiling height. Finally, the “V” allows us to generate a straight opening to the entire façade that guarantees natural light and ventilation throughout the central space.
It is obvious that a solution such as this has a series of technical problems, especially in terms of water drainage. To solve this issue, a large reinforced concrete “channel-beam” is proposed running from party wall to party wall. This is a powerful piece that organises the space. It also collects the water from the two slopes and serves as a support for the roof beams.
The space is organised sequentially from the street towards the courtyard. It is divided into three interior and two exterior centrelines which are interrelated: The first is essentially related to the street. A parking area, an access area is a filter between the public and private spaces.
In the centre, with no direct views but with natural lighting and ventilation through the roof opening, the utility spaces. Kitchen, bathrooms and office. This is a server space that is occupied by the adjacent spaces according to the moment of the day, the use or the needs. It can be described as acting as an ecotone between the first and third centrelines.
In relation to the courtyard we find the day area, oriented towards the views: living room and bedroom. The all-glass façade, with a rhythm of closely spaced pillars, becomes a filter. Linked to the third centreline is the first exterior one. A patio-terrace, relatively elevated with respect to the landscape, serves as an extension of the third centreline, as a summer lounge and, above all, as a viewpoint for the sunsets. Finally, the last centreline is a courtyard at a lower level. A space entirely connected to the l’Esquirol vegetable plot. A green space with natural vegetation
