Sitges House Renovation Embraces Garraf Natural Park’s Scenic Views

Roman Izquierdo Bouldstridge has reimagined a two-story house in Sitges, Spain by integrating the Japanese design technique aimed at blurring the boundaries between indoors and out, and framing the views of the landscape.

The practice implemented Shakkei, which translates to “borrowed scenery”, to not only capture the natural beauty of the Mediterranean coastline and distant mountainside but draw in the surrounding nature and integrate it within the dwelling.

“The design presents a constructive, aesthetic and functional decision aimed at creating a simple and unitary architectural language that gives the space a new identity,” the studio said.

The structure’s initial form was a typical Spanish chalet, which Roman Izquierdo Bouldstridge preserved when creating the new interior layout.

“From the beginning, the house was conceived as a habitable viewpoint,” the studio said.

Inside, the floor plan was divided into a series of volumes to allow all spaces to have a window that would not only fill it with natural light but in sculpting the openings.

These serve as door frames that the studio rendered in chestnut wood.

“The window and the door are conceived as a unified element: an invisible threshold that both connects and separates two spaces, an in-between interstitial space that emphasizes the Japanese concept of ma, a void where light, air, and people pass through,” the studio said.

The structure’s original form dictated the volume’s dimensions and placements.

“The design takes advantage of the original structure, consisting of a series of longitudinal load-bearing walls oriented towards the south and the views, to create a poetic architectural language that allows a flexible program,” the studio said.

In addition to windows, four stepped sets of similar wooden sliding doors overlay and partition each volume, as needed.

“These elements, combined with the wooden flooring and custom-made furniture, give rise to a warm domestic atmosphere,” the studio said.

Plants were added to the interior to offer an additional connection to the landscape.

Also in Spain, Equip began with striking, contemporary design choices – such as installing a smashed-up Mitsubishi Lancer EVO IX – and filtered out elements that didn’t fit with the concealed-joinery philosophy of the Japanese movement.