House in Galicia by A-cero Architects
A-cero Architects have sent us a house in Galicia, Spain that they have designed.
Full description after the photos….
House in Galicia by A-cero Architects
The house is located on a 2.000m2 plot presenting a strong slope. The site is delimited by the access road on the East, North and Northwest sides, and by a cliff on the West border, a natural balcony with great views over A Corunna’s coast.
The form of the building that evolves starting from these constraints consists of a composition of cubic blocks and oblique walls following different angles that configure the interior spaces. The house is closed on the access façade, while it opens wide to the views on the opposite side.
The interior solution follows a functional space distribution, coinciding with the blocks’ intersections, over 3 floors. The different levels are connected by a series of flights of stairs, located on a fixed part of the building and ending on a beautiful glass floor corridor that connects with the upper level.
The main design challenge of the project is the terrain’s slope, which is overcome by the insertion of a basement level open to the West views, containing two bedrooms with their own bathrooms and closets, a gym and the parking. The lower level is wide open to the views through a terrace and solarium free of any kind of architectural element that could interfere with the sights.
The purity of the external shapes is reflected on the house’s structure: a system of reinforced concrete walls and frameworks contouring the volumes, creating a clear interior space, free of columns that could alter its scale. With this principle in mind, all the constructive solutions work in the same direction, removing all the elements that could distract from the direct perception of the space, like skirting boards, cover plates, knobs and handles. This idea is reinforced by the use of a continuous travertine skin that covers all the exterior walls and, in some cases, the interior, creating a contrast with the dark wooden floors that give a warm and comfortable feeling to the house.
Visit the website of A-cero Architects – here.
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Chris on 10 Jan 2010 at 8:59 am #
Location is everything and they couldn’t have chosen a better one. Nice home overall
Rob on 10 Jan 2010 at 11:54 am #
I’ve never encountered an architecture firm that I’m so consistently impressed with. Everything about their work appeals to me—the lines, the light, the finishes, and the use of the site, among other things. It’s gotten to the point where I look forward to the next A-Cero post on this blog.
Regarding this house, the fifth through seventh images of the exterior remind me of a heavily updated version of the Montalban exterior up in the Hollywood Hills:
http://www.montalbanhouse.com/
of course, they don’t share much else.
F-J on 10 Jan 2010 at 2:21 pm #
Enlightened Spacial Refinement; A-cero Architects!
chip s on 10 Jan 2010 at 2:41 pm #
It is a beautiful house, but I wish they could have done something more natural with that landscaping instead of just fine cut lawn material- it would have been a nice contrast between made man and organic.
As it is, it just looks so much of man’s dominance of everything that it loses some soul.
Papo de Arquiteto on 10 Jan 2010 at 7:35 pm #
É uma bela casa, tem uma forma que domina todo o ambiente. E é um prazer ver a “boa arquitetura” que muitos falam.
Parabéns pelo Projeto.
John Whipple on 10 Jan 2010 at 8:13 pm #
The Travertine cladding is very impressive! I wonder if it was available locally?
The installation of full slabs must have been quite the procedure. I am very impressed and would love to see this home shot at night showcasing it’s exterior lighting.
Rudy on 10 Jan 2010 at 9:43 pm #
The abundant use of travertine on the outside gives the house a unity which puts the emphasis on the form. This could have worked well if only the design would have been more interesting. Especially the cladding above the second floor windows gives the building a top-heavy appearance. With this house I personally would have opt for some contrast between the volumes.
Oliver on 10 Jan 2010 at 11:14 pm #
sorry … but my first thought was – looks like a Quake-Arena-Level …. massive space and lots of massive walls … the view is really great.
Pedro on 11 Jan 2010 at 11:51 am #
Love the cofee table also the wood around the pool .
Nice Chemtrail on the 6th pic BTW
TRP on 12 Jan 2010 at 5:28 am #
Amazing! It´s one of the most beautiful house I´ve seen in my life. Congratulations to the architects.
amor poligonero on 12 Jan 2010 at 5:29 am #
Great! Fantastic location. Fantastic project. Beautifull and solid house… Thanks contemporist!!
barbara on 12 Jan 2010 at 1:53 pm #
Too massive and frighteningly perfect but oh the clarity of mind that clean spaces and spare lines promote.
Allan on 14 Jan 2010 at 1:23 am #
I just love A-Cero, every house would be like living in a museum, I love it.
Bahayhaus on 14 Jan 2010 at 8:39 am #
Perfect interior but I am not really that impressed with the exterior. It looked more like a cemetery / memorial park to me. Kudos to its interior though!
Sajid on 14 Jan 2010 at 1:02 pm #
Wonderfull job done . Congrats to the Architect. Would love to see how the overhangs and cantilevers were worked out. Love to see more projects of the same team.
Architect Sajid Khan, MIMAR Consultants
SPG on 15 Jan 2010 at 1:54 pm #
If you only saw the exterior you’d be more likely to think this was a very nicely designed corporate office.
torres on 15 Jan 2010 at 3:34 pm #
gracias por todos vuestros comentarios
Michael on 17 Jan 2010 at 4:52 pm #
Such a great location and they put the pool INDOORS?? All that yard and they passed up the opportunity to create a space for soaking up the sun while overlooking that bay?
bliss on 22 Jan 2010 at 10:01 pm #
Ha ha! @ Oliver. DM17 – The Longest Yard. lol…
Anyway, I do like this house. Not fond of the landscaping — reminds me of a community college I used to attend. But the house’s exterior and interior are both beautiful. Love the views! And since I pulled many all-nighters on Q3A back in the day, I’d feel right at home.
When can I move in?
Chris on 12 Feb 2010 at 11:26 pm #
I want this House, please give it to me!!!
Dano on 25 Feb 2010 at 11:55 pm #
beautiful house but it has that “government building” feel at the same time. Should have used some varying materials on the outside structure.
Carlo on 12 Feb 2011 at 9:38 am #
I love all A-cero works, but my favorite is the one in Madrid posted in May 2010.