Apartment building in Jávea, Valencia, Spain

Architect: Ramón Esteve

Collaborators: Olga Badia, Ruben Navarro

Construction engineer: Emilio Pérez

Surface area: 2.630,31 square meters

Completion date: 2009

Photo: Ramón Esteve

www.ramonesteve.com

In a special location, facing the Mediterranean Sea and in a low-density built-up area, the possibility arises to develop a reinterpretation of coastal apartment buildings. It is a challenging opportunity to make new approaches and to study different projects in seafront constructions.

A quiet project is the major objective as an intervention connected to the environment in which it is located, respecting the surrounding vegetation, adapting to the irregular topography and morphology of the site. One of the determining factors of the project was the Roman archaeological site that came to light during the excavations. Due to its historical value it was decided to respect the discovery and the construction was adapted to these limits.

We proposed a complex, detached block with a defined perimeter that is intensively treated on all facades.

The irregularities of the terrain will be absorbed by a foundation finished in a regionally-finished finish from which vertical white walls will rise up to outline the apartments. This will create three blocks with three apartments in each. Between these walls will appear the façade of the building in a more animated form, wood for the horizontal elements and glass for the perimeter enclosures. The building will open towards the most beautiful view, the sea, facing south-east through superimposed terraces that will convey a sense of weightlessness as we approach the sea.

On the opposite side will be located the communication center with an expression that follows the same aesthetic standards as the main facade front. The pathways will be wood-paneled walkways, facilitating access from the exterior to each residence. Adjustable sunshade louvers will enclose the apartments from this direction filtering light and controlling views.

These residences will have clean white lines and high ceilings, with floor-to-ceiling joinery dissolving the boundaries between rooms and emphasizing the indoor-outdoor relationship. Structure disappears, separation dissolves, and views open to the horizon, extending the floor plan through wide cantilevered balconies that reach out to the sea.