C+ arquitectos: periscope house

‘periscope house’ by C+ arquitectos, la selva de mar, girona, spain photo Miguel de Guzman

in la selva de mar, a protected village in the upper empordá of girona, spain, rests the ‘periscope house’, a residence by madrid-based practice C+ arquitectos. a rehabilitation of ruins, the recovered stone walls form the envelope of the dwelling, utilizing the existing stepped roof planes by turning them into habitable patios for inhabitants. the inward experience is created by pushing rooms to the perimeter, attaching to the solid exterior enclosure to liberate the central space for a flexible range of activities including football of parties. two geometrical chasms pass through the floor plates offering kaleidoscope views from the interior while introducing light and ventilation. nature is enjoyed in a variety of scales with unobstructed vistas from the rooftop level, the encompassing green-covered mountains reflected within the glazing units and a moss growing on the stacked stone facade.

reusing the original structure supported the rules of conservation, with the inclusion of details such as time-induced vegetation growing along its surfaces and tilting of elements. due to the lack of direct road access, all materials for the building were hand transported and manipulated.

stone enclosure is connected with a vertical chasm photo Miguel de Guzman

first floor entry photo Miguel de Guzman

first floor entry photo Miguel de Guzman

vertical void passes from roof through to the ground level courtyard photo Miguel de Guzman

vertical courtyard photo Miguel de Guzman

vertical courtyard photo Miguel de Guzman

flexible central space photo Miguel de Guzman

flexible central space photo Miguel de Guzman

living / dining room + kitchen photo Miguel de Guzman

(left) liberated centralized space used for activity (right) entry to bathroom photo Miguel de Guzman

ground level corridor photo Miguel de Guzman

ground level corridor photo Miguel de Guzman

ground level entry photo Miguel de Guzman

rooftop patios photo Miguel de Guzman

site diagram

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

section

section

section

patios

project info:

client: private area: 209m2 location: la selva de mar, girona. spain dates: 2006-2011 architect: C+ arquitectos (nerea calvillo with daniel garcía, marina fernández, aitor casero) technical architect: agustí vidal structures: francisco poza services: nieves plaza contractor: constructora de l’empordá juliá turrá images: miguel de guzmán