Winner - Viva La Vega House
Granada, Spain
Architect Agency: Serrano + Baquero Arquitectos
Metal Builder: López Soto
Product Solutions used: UNICITY windows, LUMEAL sliders and SOLEAL doors
Photographer: Fernando Alda
“It has been decided to award the prize to this project because it appears as a simple design project inspired by the agricultural context in which it is located. The way how the interior of the house has been developed is very enriching with volumes enhanced by subtle natural light. The materials are quite usual, they give a humble and serene atmosphere." Jury comments
The house tries to extol the agricultural image that surrounds it through a simple but very carefully made construction where concrete and brick are the protagonists. The narrow geometry of the plot where it is located has given rise to an interesting relationship and exchange between the two long façades, due to their proximity.
According to the different boundary conditions depending on their position, opaque walls of different heights appear, along with ceilings with different slopes, skylights, lattices and windows. The interesting shape of the sloping roofs offers unique and austere interiors where the materials and construction systems emerge through the textures on the different walls.
"It was our intention that in certain points of the house there would be views that would cross it completely, allowing light, air, the sound of water, and the gaze to pass through the space contained inside the bay," explains the architect.
Outside, a large sunny garden area has been built next to a pergola for relaxation. The balance between the agricultural nature and memories of the customers and their needs was with their needs was materialized through the elements present on the site and in the surroundings agricultural infrastructures. In addition to the casement windows UNICITY HI and the sliding LUMEAL XXL sliding windows installed in the house, this original pivot door made of SOLEAL 65 profiles.
Special Mention - Retina House
Girona, Spain
Architect: Arnau Vergés
Metal Builder: Plantalech
Product Solutions used: LUMEAL sliders
Photographer: Marc Torra / Pep Sau
“It has been decided to award a special mention to this project for planning a simple rectangle with large wooden shutters that can open the house completely to the outside. It is all about the expression of a simple plan, very well executed, giving the idea of evident architecture." Jury comments
The Retina house, designed on a slightly sloping plot, consists of two parallelepipeds arranged in an L shape that give it a profoundly contemporary air. Its composition is based on concrete blocks, organised with few interior spaces on an open floor plan, where the functions of sleeping, eating and communicating are perfectly distributed in a warm environment. Thus, the project assumes an attitude of constant dialogue and observation of the environment that is reflected through a series of tilting wooden shutters that, when opened, form a south façade with full-height windows.
The rest of the facades of this regular parallelepiped are opaque. Elements such as the garage, the pond, the walkway or the inclined wall in the background that follows and cuts the steep slope, configure a flat surface. And, on it, rests the house.
This is the story of a family refuge to enjoy the nature and the simple things: a time machine that wishes to retain this precious landscape that has not yet changed.
The large LUMEAL XXL sliding doors play a key role in the relationship between the house and its surroundings,forming a viewpoint sheltered from the sun when the wooden "eyelids" are opened.
