Villa Renovation, Sotogrande, Spain

Completed: 2019

Practice Role: Design Architect

An enviable site in the desirable Mediterranean town of Sotogrande, the existing building was disjointed and missed the opportunity the location and setting presented. There were three different entrances and multiple split-levels poorly connected. Working within the project constraints mean retaining most of the existing structures, so the focus was on circulation – creating new openings and a new staircase, and the brave move of taking out a floor in the middle of house to create a double-height vestibule overlooking the pool. The height of this space creates a cooler living room through stack ventilation and makes an interesting relationship with the remaining upper balcony which overlooks the vestibule and the pool beyond. The house was finished in local materials – render and terracotta tiles, adding a cohesion to the unified massing of the building.