#HTE
Every so often you come across a building that allows your imagination to run wild. It stops you in your tracks, disarms you with wonder and forces you to slow down. The culprit? A farmhouse renovation by Barcelona-based studio Arquitectura-G. The charge? Being blatantly brilliant!
The large three-storey family home is nestled in the Empordà landscape amongst the rolling fields and fruit trees of Catalonia, Spain. The historic stone walls of the exterior give way to a bright interior that is altogether sculptural, textural and wonderfully communal. There are spaces for gathering, entertaining, dining and quiet repose. I’m sure you’ll agree it’s an absolute stunner so without further ado, let’s weave our way through the labyrinthine structure, shall we? I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
As with any historical renovation there is always an important relationship between old and new. Arquitectura-G have struck a balance with the combination of existing elements and new interventions. Previous stone archways are complimented by spherical fireplaces, curved tiled platforms, rounded windows and doors and an elegant spiral staircase. These exist in union with rectilinear forms such as beams, columns and metal screens. The material palette of exposed stone, glazed brown tiles, terracotta, painted steel and white paint appear consistently throughout the home and what a marvellous medley they are! Simple, striking and sophisticated; the materials play a crucial role in forming space and creating cohesion.
The glazed brown tiles find themselves in every room and are articulated as the cladding for the kitchen benches, shelving, banquette seating and other inbuilt furniture. Windows, doors and other steel components have been painted burgundy to match the warm colour of the new tiles and old terracotta floors. The white painted walls and ceilings brighten the space and provide a neutral background to these other materials.
The old farmhouse has undergone many alterations and extensions overtime and Arquitectura-G sought to bring a sense of cohesion and order to the property. Their aim was to unify the residential and agricultural needs of the clients whilst also maximising natural light and ventilation. According to architect Jonathan Arnabat, when the team first arrived they discovered “a myriad of enchained rooms” throughout the 900 square meter building. In order to introduce light into these buried rooms they removed all unnecessary walls and replaced them with lightweight and transparent materials such as steel mesh or glazing. This created new pathways that meander their way through the central living areas, courtyards, bedrooms, the kitchen and past that jaw-dropping pool. Everything about the pool area is so dramatic from the theatrical shadows cast by the gridded mesh to the play on volumes as spaces compress and expand.
While Arquitectura-G have created a wonderful family home, to me it could easily be the backdrop of a high fashion photo shoot, the set of a Fellini-esque film or something equally peculiar and fantastic! So Yellowtracers, I think we can come to a concensus here. This rural restoration is so unequivocally guilty of aforementioned brilliance that it’s downright criminal. Case closed.
[Photography © José Hevia.]
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