The last contest organized by Selecta HOME consisted of designing a detached house with guest house and farm shop in Collado de la Vera, Extremadura. The architects presented were Carlos Quintáns, SAMI Arquitectos, Elii and Héctor Fernández Helorza, whose proposal was the winner.
The project, whose motto is WAAR ZULLEN WE ONTBIJTEN, BINNEN OF BUITEN? (WHERE ARE WE GOING TO HAVE BREAKFAST, IN OR OUT?) consists of a horseshoe shaped building that generates an inner courtyard to which all rooms are opened. The enviroment is an important element in the proposal: the plant is adapted to the topography and the existing trees and it is planned to reuse the stones from a ruin located in the plot. Brick, tile and wood are other materials that define this practically tailor-made house.
Description of the winner project by Héctor Fernandez Elorza
A house that reuses the stones from the ruins of the plot itself; that due to the poor state of that construction makes it very complicated and expensive rehabilitation but joined the project as a exterior wall. A project that is well aware of TREES; incorporates the topography and is geometrically defined by species to determine the project. A home that turns and faces like a big eye to the views of GREDOS enabling the peaks appear as the background of every room in the house. A housing defining a central courtyard on which parts of the project overturn making this an extra room outside the house.
A house that forms a circular route along its different rooms allowing independent use of each of its parts.
A compact volume that unifies the program proposed, allowing effective protection and safety at night or when the house is empty. A unique piece apparently closed to the outside, but through three large terraces facing south, east and west allow the views over the plot and an effective sunlight. An open house with gaps or thresholds, enabling the security with four large sliding doors; opening and closing system to make sure the house is sheltered. Terraces that allow crossed views between different parts of the house and the CAMPFIRE, located in the center of the courtyard as a protagonist. A home that despite the fact that is distributed in one and continuous piece, still allows its development in independent parts without interfering with the use of the rest.
A house where NICHES facing the patio are the place to enjoy alone the inside and the outside. A housing which is arranged in two levels with attics, only where the views of Gredos and the plot are better. A project that uses the typical materials of the area: Granite stone, brick and tile; with wood used just on doors and windows, avoiding its extensively use since the particular hygrometric differences,temperature and humidity between the seasons would result in a common and costly maintenance. White interiors on the different materials' texture contrast with the vivid colors of the surrounding landscape of Gredos. A home that uses THERMAL INERTIA in the south facing wall and sunlight and ventilation of the terraces as climate barrier.
In short, a house designed, for example, from the view over a pine, an oak or an arbutus, or their colors throughout the year; from the summer breeze across one of its terraces; to heat from the heated ceramic floor around the fireplace in the lounge; or the doubt whether in any spring day, with snow still on Gredos,it is better to have breakfast inside or outside.
CREDITS. DATA SHEET.-
Privet competition organised by.- Selecta HOME
Site.- Collado de la Vera, Extremadura
Program.- Detached house + guest house + farm shop.
Surface.- 300 m²
Architects presented.- Héctor Fernández Elorza, Carlos Quintáns, SAMI Arquitectos and Elii.
