Nestled between trees in the mountainous region of Matarraña, two hours south of Barcelona, this ring-shaped residence is the second completed Solo House, a series of dream holiday homes designed by leading architects for French developer Christian Bourdais. The initiative asks a new wave of young, yet established architects — including Sou Fujimoto, Johnston Marklee, and Didier Faustino — to populate the landscape with small resort-style dwellings. Following Pezo Von Elrichshausen’s completed design in 2013, belgian studio office KGDVS is the latest firm to unveil its remote residence.
“Since the scenery is so impressive, we felt architecture should be invisible, merely emphasising the natural qualities of the surroundings,” explain the architects. Sited on the edge of a plateau overlooking the mediterranean sea, the property is topped with a simple circular roof spanning 45 meters in diameter.
The roof functions as a shelter, and forms the perimeter of the inhabited surface. It is supported by four straight rows of eight columns, which cut chords from the circular base shape. Only these four areas are inhabited, with variable levels of protection. Large stretches of curtain facade slide on the outer edge of the circle, allowing the living areas to fully open, and providing a maximum relationship between the dweller and the surrounding nature.
In total, the 1,600-square-metre footprint incorporates 1,050 square metres of patio space and a swimming pool. The internal areas accommodate the living room, master bedroom and guest bedroom, which each measure 60 square meters.
Since the terrain is not connected to any services, the house is completely self-dependent. Photovoltaic panels provide thermic and electrical energy, while water is collected and purified on site by tanks and a filtration system on the building’s roof.
all images © Bas Princen