new single house, portopetro, majorca
The property, located in the front row, is a narrow yet deep and elongated plot on the port side, sloping towards the north with a pronounced incline down to the Port Petros marina basin. The higher side, where the street access is located, marks the southern boundary of the property, while neighboring buildings flank it to the west and east.
The height difference between the street access and the port shoreline is substantial, reaching nine meters, which equates to a slope of over 17%. This distinct topography presents an architectural challenge but simultaneously offers enormous potential for the project’s design. This height difference became the key element in the architectural concept.
The required building volume could neither be arranged parallel to the coastline nor organized as a monolithic block, as this would have required significant excavation into the slope, which was to be avoided. To address this, the single-family residence was divided into two independent architectural volumes, allowing for a more harmonious integration with the natural topography of the site.
These two volumes were designed as cubes, staggered in accordance with the slope of the terrain and laterally offset. The front volume, facing the port, houses the primary residential functions, including the living room, dining area, kitchen, and three bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. The rear volume, oriented towards the street, contains complementary spaces such as guest rooms, offices, technical areas, and a garage.
This two-part configuration offered several advantages: besides complying with regulatory requirements, it enabled a more efficient spatial arrangement, improved natural lighting and ventilation, and significantly enhanced indoor environmental quality. The building’s division expanded the number of facades from four to six, creating new possibilities for light entry and air circulation.
The two volumes are connected by a ramp bridge that intelligently adapts to the topography. The primary vertical circulation is located within the port-facing volume. The staggered arrangement of the buildings allowed for large glass facades, providing exceptional transparency and creating breathtaking sightlines from both building sections toward the marina basin and the promenade across the harbor. One example of this is the unobstructed view from the office in the hillside volume, through the kitchen in the port volume, all the way to the waterfront in front of the property.
A landscaped patio with native Mediterranean vegetation was designed between the two buildings, over which the deconstructivist-style bridge extends. This patio serves as an extended communication space, connected on both sides to the garden, providing an area for family interaction.
The diversification of functional areas and segmentation of living spaces allow for various configurations that cater to individual needs. Interior and exterior spaces overlap and integrate into the slope through terraced levels and smooth transitions.
From the perspective of the harbor, a third volume complements the ensemble: the pool area. This independent volume, partially embedded into the slope, follows the natural gradient and is positioned slightly below the port-facing building volume. It emerges as a cube of water projecting from the terrain, blending seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.
The infinity pool is designed as an overflow pool on all four sides, making it appear as a dematerialized cube of seawater, seemingly extracted from the sea and placed into the slope. This design reinforces the architectural concept of merging nature and construction.
The landscaping concept focuses on Mediterranean vegetation. Lawn areas, gravel zones, and a variety of fruit trees create a family-friendly and low-maintenance environment that aligns with both the aesthetic and functional aspects of the project.
From a construction perspective, a skeletal concrete structure was chosen, with steel pillars and hollow-core slab floors featuring core insulation. The ramp bridge and all sliding elements are made of steel with wooden slats. The boundary walls and garden walls are constructed from locally sourced natural stone.
The buildings feature partial air conditioning and underfloor heating. The energy supply comes from a heat pump combined with solar energy.
In conclusion, this project is an outstanding example of architectural integration within the natural topography of the site. The adaptation to the terrain’s incline, the division into two volumes, and the strategic use of light and views have resulted in a modern, functional, and aesthetically sophisticated residential ensemble. The house captures the “genius loci” of its location and redefines the quality of living in this privileged setting.
project: 1418
size: confidential
plot: confidential
client: confidential
location: south east cost portopetro, majorca
type: single house
team (building): jle
team (landscape): jle
responsable architects: jle
