private single house, cala llombards majorca
Project Description:
Set within the picturesque coastal landscape of Cala Llombards, Mallorca, a single-family home from the 1980s was fundamentally transformed by jle architects. The architectural concept is based on a radical shift in perspective—quite literally: the traditional spatial arrangement was reversed.
Bedrooms and ancillary rooms are now on the ground floor, while the entire living space—kitchen, dining, and lounge—has been moved to the upper level with sea views. This so-called “Upside-Down Concept” addresses not only functional aspects but also climatic and design considerations.
Guiding Principles:
The architectural intervention began with a complete gutting of the existing structure. Load-bearing elements were selectively opened, spatial relationships redefined, and extensions added in a restrained formal language.
The building’s volume was sharpened: projections and recesses were reduced to create a clear geometry. The result is a monolithic ensemble, harmoniously integrated into the Mediterranean topography through its white plaster façade and horizontal articulation.
Floor Plan Logic and Spatial Sequence:
The ground floor now houses three en-suite bedrooms, a multifunctional entrance area, and storage and utility rooms. The clear separation between private and public zones is emphasized by the internal circulation: a single-run staircase with large glazed surfaces leads to the open-plan living area upstairs.
Here, a continuous flowing space unfolds, combining kitchen, dining, and lounge—zoned by furniture rather than walls. This openness creates spatial depth and maximizes natural light.
Connection to the Outdoors:
A key design feature is the terracing. The newly introduced rooftop terrace on the upper living level functions as an extended living space—with a seamless transition between indoors and outdoors thanks to floor-to-ceiling sliding glass panels. The sea view became the guiding principle for the orientation of all spaces: all communal areas face the water. The terrace surfaces are finished with sand-colored porcelain stoneware that continues materially and visually from inside to outside, enhancing the *indoor-outdoor flow*.
Materiality and Details:
The material palette is deliberately reduced—almost ascetic. White rendered masonry walls contrast with oak built-ins and dark-framed windows. Interior walls are finished in lime plaster, adding tactile texture while supporting a balanced indoor climate.
Flooring consists of large-format porcelain tiles in a warm beige tone—easy to maintain, understated, yet elegant. Special attention was paid to detailing: recessed skirting boards, flush doors, and a handleless kitchen underscore a consistently minimalist approach.
Climatic Optimization:
Beyond spatial reorganization, improving energy efficiency was central to the renovation. The new building envelope meets current thermal standards and features innovative roof and façade insulation.
All openings are equipped with external shading—some with electric anodized aluminum blinds, others with sliding panels of wide horizontal timber slats. The combination of passive cooling, natural cross ventilation, and targeted shading enables minimal reliance on mechanical air conditioning.
Cultural Contextualization:
Despite its clear, contemporary design language, the project remains firmly rooted in its regional identity. Architectural elements such as the flat roof, solid exterior walls, and the use of natural materials reference the building traditions of the Balearic Islands, but are reinterpreted in a modern way.
The house’s transformation is thus not only functional and formal, but also cultural: an architectural bridge between local heritage and international design ambitions.
Conclusion:
The Cala Llombards project exemplifies how bold design decisions, precise detailing, and a strong architectural vision can turn a conventional existing structure into an innovative living space.
The “Upside-Down Concept” is more than a formal gesture—it expresses a new way of life that centers on openness, views, and light. With this remodel, jle architekten delivers a subtle statement for contemporary, context-conscious architecture in Mallorca.
this refurbishment turns an old majorcan single floor summerhouse into an inside living and outside terrace areas amalgamating to a wide open space. for better sea-views the single house residence, located at east coste of majorca, pulls traditional section uses upside down. wide open living spaces in first floor, meanwhile the sleeping rooms are organized in ground floor. hanging shutter elements keeps the sun protection flexible.gutting, add 2nd floor, complete refurbishment, extension, remodelling and renovation. up side down uses – sleeping downstairs, open living upstairs.
project: 0721 res. housing, landscape
size: confidential
construction area: confidential
client: confidential
location: cala llombards, santanyi majorca
type: residential single housing
team (house): jle
team (landscape): jle
responsible architects: jle
