MANUEL AYUD | Architect

Project BARRIO ALTO​

Costa del Sol

Casco urbano de Gaucín

Castillo del Águila

Peñón de Gibraltar

Located in the town center of Gaucín, Málaga

The objective was to gain access to a horizontal plane

The objective was to achieve access to a horizontal plane, contemplating the least number of steps possible to provide greater accessibility and fluidity, due to its 8 meters of unevenness between its two roads, and to increase the entry of light into the house.

According to the orientation of the house, it opens mostly on the north side, to take advantage of as much natural light as possible.

Distribution of the house looking for the best views:

Ground Floor Module

Living room - kitchen - dining room with pantry and a toilet. In turn, a communication core that leads to the upper and lower floors.

Module Plant +1

Multipurpose space and a toilet, which give access to the first outdoor terrace with chill-out, swimming pool and solarium.

Module Plant +2

Outdoor terrace + jacuzzi, giving access to the same by a small castle and the elevator that connects the different floors.

Module Plant -1

Three bedrooms, master bedroom with bathroom and private patio, bathroom, storage area and secondary staircase down to the garage.

Module Plant -2

Engine room and garage.

Problems solved:
  • Housing from a limited and sober space, which needs to maximize the entry of natural light. Therefore, the opening of gaps in the posterior area of the house.
  • Visually releasing mass, with the gaps projected and with the use of glass as the main material, creates a less overwhelming and freer visual, leaving the observer with a wider and more illuminated space. 

The lower levels will be used for rest, allowing a balance of greater comfort in terms of natural light and ventilation, thus taking advantage of that space that, due to geometry and unevenness conditions, is semi-buried on 3 of the 4 faces of the house.

The upper levels will be used for daytime uses, with the exception of the suite as a bedroom attached to the chill-out.

Separating the solarium pool into two different levels is merely taking advantage of the fantastic visuals that are generated in the nearby environment, from the Castillo del Águila, the town of Gaucín, the Rock of Gibraltar and the sea.

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