05 AM arquitectura’s mediterranean house cascades down a steep slope in tamariu, spain

05 AM arquitectura has designed a compact mediterranean house on a steep slope plot in the coastal town of tamariu, spain. accessed via the upper side, where the street is located, the residential volume is built with a direction toward the seaside front in order to benefit from the best views. the resulting volume responds to the site’s two main features: the hill slope, and the perspective of the sea. all images by adrià goula

the 05 AM arquitectura-designed residence appears to cascade down the steep slope, with its lowest floor oriented along the hill direction in order to grant a better contact with the natural plot. at the same time, a terrace on the main floor gets wider as it reaches the south side, which benefits from great views of the mediterranean sea. the final volume incorporates an inclined roof tailored according to the land topography that preserves the general linearity of the house. with this configuration of volumes, the atmosphere of interior spaces is improved, as well as their exposure to the sun.

interior living areas are organized around the fireplace, creating a sequence of double-height spaces oriented to south, bringing sunlight inside the house. an outdoor terrace next to the dining room is protected by sunshade and fosters life outside the house. in the bisecting line of the two main volumes, 05 AM arquitectura has placed a spiral staircase that incorporates intermediate slabs of generous dimensions that becomes part of the program. on the lower floor, the arrival of the stairs is used as a multipurpose space with an outdoor exit.

‘in general lines, it is a house where both the exterior and the interior are designed to enjoy the mediterranean climate, placing all the main spaces on the south side, facing the seaside,’ explains the girona-based studio.

project info:

name: house in tamariu

architect: 05 AM arquitectura

team: júlia esteve and laura rodrigo

structure: GMK – miquel llorens

technical architect: planas-casadevall

facilities: SJ12 enginyers – albert colomer

builder: xiu cargol

location: palafrugell – tamariu (baix empordà), girona, spain

total floor area: 338 m²