House Querol

This project entails transforming the historic ruins of a farm into a 4-bedroom family home. The farm is situated in the municipality of Querol, Tarragona, in a mountainous and wooded area with breathtaking views amidst the green hills. It is at a height of 565 meters above sea level, bordered by the Gayá River. ZEST has designed a house as self-sufficient as possible, with renewable energy, sustainable materials and large openings bringing light into the interior.

Materials are chosen carefully to follow the concept which entails merging the existing ruin with the contemporary new house. The annex, which provides an additional apartment, celebrates the existing by restoration and incorporation of the old stone ruin walls at it´s base. The top section is of wood and glass, a clearly defined modern addition contrasting the old. The house was designed to follow a similar idea to the annex with a stone wall wrapping around at ground level and wood and glass above. The displaced roof planes break up the mass of the house and mimic the butterfly roof of the annex.

Entry to the house is through a secret garden, enclosed on one side by the house and on the other side by the single-storey office space with roof garden. These spaces are designed as single-storey so as not to obstruct views from the annex.

Careful detailing of built-in furniture creates cozy nooks and storage. An example of this is the corten box corner-window at the landing of the staircase which, through it´s built-in seat, activates the stair and provides a visual connection to the annex behind the house. A separate building will house the facilities necessary for the bee-keeping part of this property, with spaces for treatment, processing and packaging of honey, and storage.