Vivienda-Estudio by Valor-llimós Arquitectura
Vivienda-Estudio designed in 2017 by Valor-llimós Arquitectura, is a modern brick home located in Canet de Mar, Spain.
About Vivienda-Estudio
Architectural Integration in a Historic Coastal Town
Situated in the heart of a quaint coastal village, this innovative structure rises where a parking lot once stood. Remarkably, it doubles as both a residence and a workspace. At the outset, the project’s primary aim was to achieve climate comfort through passive systems. Simultaneously, it sought to blend effortlessly into the surrounding urban tapestry. This commitment is evident in the judicious material choices, the meticulous preservation of existing structures like the masonry wall, and the facade’s understated allure.
Mediterranean Design: Harmoniously Merging Interior with Exterior
Given the coastal Mediterranean climate, with its mild winters and warm, humid summers, the design had to be astute. Consequently, this climate-driven approach sculpted the interior layout and its intimate connection to the outdoors. This is strikingly evident in the proportions of the internal spaces. Additionally, the strategic openings that span its three floors render the building a unified three-story entity.
Moreover, the building’s interplay with the street and garden is channeled through intermediate zones. These include courtyards, porches, terraces, and balconies. Not only do they shield against sunlight and offer privacy, but they also distinctly separate the living quarters from the workspace. Thus, in this design, the emphasis is clearly on functional relationships rather than just aesthetic form or layout.
Material Choices: Championing Thermal Inertia
Delving into the construction, the design favors robust methods. Specifically, it employs concrete slabs and solid brick walls, celebrated for their thermal inertia. This characteristic is vital in moderating daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations, making it especially apt for a space that’s continuously occupied.
In terms of materials, the design prominently features raw concrete, untreated brick, and unpainted wooden fixtures. Additionally, continuous mortar flooring and cork exteriors are prevalent. To preserve the materials’ innate charm, subtle treatments such as waxes, oils, or clear lasures have been applied.
Considering its positioning between two buildings with an East-West orientation, sun protection was paramount. Hence, the design incorporates solar barriers like adjustable vertical slats and traditional pine wood roller blinds. These elements not only serve as thermal buffers but also ensure privacy, all the while optimizing winter sunlight capture.
Cutting-Edge Climate Control Solutions
Tackling climate control, the lofty three-meter (about 9.8 feet) height of the rooms is a strategic choice. During summer, this allows for efficient stratification of warm air. At night, this heat is skillfully dispelled through ventilation introduced across all floors. And notably, it’s expelled via a solar chimney atop the building, eliminating the dependence on mechanical AC systems.
Complementing this passive approach in winter, the design harnesses underfloor heating powered by an aerothermal system. This system, renowned for its efficiency in mild climates, provides unrivaled comfort without excessive energy usage. And in the warmer months, it circulates cooled water, synergizing perfectly with natural ventilation to guarantee ideal comfort levels.
Photography by Simón García
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- by Matt Watts
