An architectural wonder in Spain
House on the Cliff is nestled in the mountains on the Spanish coast of Calpe. House on the Cliff makes the most of natural beauty around it
It can be a challenge to compete with the landscape — especially when it’s the striking Spanish coast of Calpe on the Mediterranean Sea, about 120 kilometres south of the city of Valencia.
But House on the Cliff — with its understated name for such an stunning work of architecture — comes very close.
The home is constructed with screens and slabs made from reinforced concrete with an exterior finish of smooth, white lime stucco. It reflects the bright Mediterranean sunshine in the daytime and provides a cool respite at night. Inside, the floors are white marble.
House on the Cliff stands six metres above the rocks, a dramatic drop for residents standing on its balcony. Despite its rocky terrain, the home is located on one level, at the request of its owners.
Covering 2,600 square feet (240 square metres), the interior living and dining rooms offer views across the sea, as do three bedrooms. All are contained in a cantilevered structure that stretches over the surrounding rocks.
A large terrace spans the front of the home while the kitchen and two bedrooms are at the back. Horizontal windows span the kitchen and bedroom areas and skylights draw in natural light.
The large swimming pool below the main living area also offers an expansive seaside view.
House on the Cliff was completed in 2010 after 2 1/2 years in design and construction, and cost about $900,000.
Architect Fran Silvestre of Fran Silvestre Arquitecto in Valencia answers a few questions about the stunning house:
What inspired the design of this home?
The place itself — the Mediterranean — where it’s located. We like that quality of architecture that makes it possible to build a house in the air, to walk on water. It’s a steep lot overlooking the sea. The home respects the natural profile of the terrain. Above, there’s the shadow, the house, looking serenely towards the Mediterranean Sea. The pool brings us closer to the sea, it’s like a quiet cove.
What influence did the landscape have?
The landscape in all projects is a starting point for the project. But in this particular case even more, the result of the project is like this because of the landscape.
What were the challenges in the design and construction?
The plot was impossible — there is a cliff. Also, the clients wanted to build the house on one floor. The only possible way was to generate a scheme of two hardback books that would open.
You put first one L-shaped and then another one on top. In this way you avoid earth movements.
The normal thing is to raise a wall and fill it up to create a flat surface, which, by the way, is more expensive. With windows spanning the back of the house, by the bathroom and kitchen, how do you ensure privacy? These windows turn to the backyard, which is very private with the rocky mountain behind it. Are there sustainable features? The owner tells me he never puts the air conditioning on — he doesn’t need it. Although there are large windows, they’re placed at a distance from the house so the sun never enters directly in summer. Also, cross-ventilation cools the home. In terms of materials, there’s large external thermal insulation, which used to be achieved by building walls of a certain thickness. They’re no longer needed thanks to the construction technology.
Georgie Binks is a Toronto-based writer and a freelance contributor for the Star. Reach her at binksgeorgie@gmail.com