Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Breathtaking Barcelona house tour...

Fused together with the cliff it is built on is this stunning house where Spanish architect Jordi Garcés and his wife Nuria Amat spend their down-time. It's 450 square meters of total bliss and beauty in my eyes! What do you think my darlings?


The land was for long left untouched and deemed by many experts to be an 'impossible building site'. The steep cliffs, narrow access and deep coves cutting into the mountain put many investors off.


Jordi and his wife felt differently and immediately fell for the rugged and wild terrain, and set out to design a house that embraced the cliff and that allowed as much as possible of it to remain intact. I love the result and think the marriage of rough & smooth is stunning!


The house is built in an 'L-shape' over four levels on different tiers (some double spaced), where the 'short ends' are all glass walls, with doors leading onto outdoor entertaining terraces with breathtaking views! The structure 'embraces' the cliff rather than forces it aside - a very clever solution.

 

I love how the cliff has a real presence inside the house as well.  How gorgeous isn't that wall?!?!.. and the floor!  Though I'd like to swing the bed around so that I could enjoy the view..!

 

A lot of the decor is made up of designer classics (Saarinen, Le Courbusier, Knoll, Divani, Cassina etc), mixed with industrial aluminium structures, and strict lines. I think all this along with the crispy white surfaces make for a wonderful contrast against the rugged and all but linear exterior terrain. A perfect marriage of wild and tamed..!


 

 

 

All in all I think this is an amazing place, but as a mother of two young and lively kids, I would be all but relaxed in this place.. :)

xx Charlotta


All images via Residence - another brilliant Swedish magazine that I think you'll love!

26 comments:

Concrete Jungle said...

ummmmmm it is perfect! Love it!

Lou said...

Hi Charlotta...nice to have you back. I love the dining chairs in these shots - the mixing of old and new. Just so well done here. Lou x

ilovemyhouse said...

That's one amazing house. ilove the cave walls, but you are soo right. Living with two young kids here you would never be able to relax!

XX

Carole said...

It's stunning Charlotta but my verigo might not think so. Even without young kids to worry about!
x

Tricia said...

Stunning home but I'd be a bit frightened living so close to the edge. ;) Your post is quite timely for me however as I'm starting to plan a trip to Barcelona with my girlfriend.

Thanks for the inspiration!
xoxo~
T

ChampagneMaker said...

uhhhhh, kill me now and bury me in Spain! xoxo

Unknown said...

Wow! It's gorgeous! But, I'd have to agree with you, my two little monkeys would give me a heart attack!

Stacey said...

The vistas are stunning! The architectural details are amazing. I'd love to know who the architects are! I'd have to leave baby Z behind on low land somewhere though...

Anna Caroline {Design Studio 210} said...

Gorgeous find! :)

Anonymous said...

Having built myself a house with a spectacular view, I assumed the steep cliffs which were part of my view were not suitable to build on. Like the house in the piece not so was the case. I'm sure the homes behind this cliff hanger are as upset by it as I am.
Not to mention the child sitting on the lounge next to a sheer drop with no rail.
The Architect seems to only be concerned with his own brilliance.
Other than that it's pretty nice.

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Oh Charlotta
I love the position... to have views that just 'drop off' to sea would be perfect!!! I also like how they have integrated the home with the natural finishes of the rock face.. .. inside and out..

So.. as I don't have children.. they will just have to give it to me.. don't you think? that would be safest.. ha ha ha.. Have a lovely week... sorry I'm so absent.. just not keeping pace with things at present.. ciao xxx Julie

Tina said...

Hallelujah!
What an amazing home! Must be paradise living like that!
The stainless steel I love as well as the wall in the bedroom. OMG!
And you know how I feel about Designer classics:), always works for me!
Great post, lovely house!
Sending all my love to you!

A Perfect Gray said...

Charlotta, I think stunning is the only word for that wonderful space. You are right, the mix of rough and polished is wonderful. The rock wall in the bedroom is divine.

thanks for that exciting look!

donna

Leigha said...

Um. Swoon! Every single time you post I love it. I am totally featuring you this week! I'll be in touch about it...

Leigha

... said...

Wow what a great spot. My husband is in Barcelona today. I wish I was there too, to stay in the beautiful place for only one night;-)

lila said...

Hi was so happy to see your face on my comments page! Thank you for the lovely comment.
Missed your gorgeous and inspiring posts too!
this house is a stunner...but makes my heart a bit uneasy seen the kid by the edge of the cliff to be honest.

hugs
Lila

Unknown said...

Those rock walls, I die! But you're right, you would never want to relax and have a cocktail party lest a guest get drunk and topple over the cliff! XX!

k said...

Yes, the child thing would not work out in that house, but my goodness, it's amazing!! And thanks for your lovely comment on my photos, so nice of you to say!

Design Elements said...

great spot at the sea! happy weekend!

Splendid Willow said...

Oh my! Just the view alone! A piece of heaven!

Wishing you and your beautiful family a fun and relaxing weekend.

Much love, sis M.

Renée Finberg said...

you are right.
this place is wild.
i love it.

Sarah Klassen said...

Beautiful! I would be happy here, completely happy :)

giveto said...

whaouuuuhhhhhhhhh!!

Jen of MadeByGirl said...

WOW stunning :))))

www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com

Tony said...

Great type of house. I own a 10 acre property at Playa el Valle in Samana and was looking for some modern designs on steep locations...

Tonydomrep said...

here at http://www.elcatey.com you can see the property

Blog Widget by LinkWithin