fran silvestre arquitectos: house on the cliff

‘house on the cliff’ by fran silvestre arquitectos, calpe, alicante, spainimage © diego opazoall images courtesy of fran silvestre arquitectos

overlooking the mediterranean sea, the ‘house on the cliff’ is positioned upon an abrupt plot of land in calpe, alicante, spain. designed by valencia-based fran silvestre arquitectos, the living spaces of the residence are spread over four floors to minimize adjustments to the topography. respecting the natural contours, the structure is anchored by stone. the white lime stucco recalls the traditional architecture of the area. continuing onto all planes including walls and paved surfaces, the dwelling becomes unified amidst a backdrop of  rocky mountains.

set upon a platform on the lowest level, a swimming pool terrace opens to the dramatic ocean view. leading up from the pool deck, an outdoor stair is attached to the monolithic concrete exterior allowing inhabitants to change levels while gazing towards the scenery. before passing through a portal within the exterior wall, a landing allows for a moment of pause with a view. turning around the corner, they continue their climb within a sheltered area beneath to highest storey of the home. the living room, dining, kitchen and bedrooms are situated at the top level. panoramic vistas are offered from a veranda which runs the length of the upper floor plate. outside, the passageway leading to the main entrance is carved within a space between the home and cliff enabling the craggy landscape to double as a backdrop to the kitchen. 

aerial viewimage © diego opazo

monolithic white form within the craggy landscapeimage © diego opazo

viewimage © diego opazo

mountain backdropimage © diego opazo

facade overlooking the seaimage © diego opazo

balcony is cantileveredimages © diego opazo

stairway from living spaces to the lower swimming terraceimage © diego opazo

outdoor stair leads down to swimming terraceimage © diego opazo

seating areaimage © diego opazo

pool deckimage © diego opazo

view from seatingimage © diego opazo

stairs leading down from upper level living spacesimages © diego opazo

scenic viewimage © diego opazo

living roomimage © diego opazo

(left)sea view from kitchen(right) cliff backdropimages © diego opazo

kitchenimage © diego opazo

concealed kitchen componentsimage © diego opazo

sink with cliff backgroundimage © diego opazo

bedroomsimage © diego opazo

pathway between residence and mountainside image © diego opazo

entry pathwayimage © diego opazo

drivewayimage © diego opazo

illuminated stairwayimage © diego opazo

at nightimage © diego opazo

balconyimage © diego opazo

casa del acantilado | house on the cliff by fran silvestre arquitectos from fran silvestre arquitectos on vimeo.

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floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

floor plan / level 2

roof plan

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elevation

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project info:

project name: house on the cliff architecture: fran silvestre arquitectos project team: fran silvestre (principal in charge), maría josé sáez (principal in charge), maria masià (collaborator architect), adrián mora (collaborator architect), jordi martínez (collaborator architect), josé v. miguel (collaborator architect) structural engineer: david gallardo (upv) building engineer: vicente ramos, esperanza corrales, javier delgado interior design: alfaro hofmann fotography: diego opazo video: alfonso calza marketing & communication: adrián mora (architect) collaborators: fran ayala (arquitecto), ángel fito (arquitecto) contractor: construcciones alabort location: toix mascarat. calpe. alicante site area: 962,84 m2 built area: 242,00 m2 cost (p.e.m.): 650.000 EUR