This project involves the demolition of a single-storey house and design of a 3-storey, 4-bedroom one in it´s place, retaining only the heritage-protected street facade. Situated in the town of Vilanova i la Geltrú in a narrow street, the challenge was in designing a building that could be constructed in a less intrusive manner. The entire house will be constructed from CLT as the wood panels can be prefabricated off site and installed without the need for large pumps and machinery.
The facade was designed very carefully in order to integrate the building better with its (taller) neighbours and yet without overshadowing the attractive old ground floor facade. We have set the first and second floors back and used wooden laths to hide the structured set of windows and two additional floors. Shutters slide within the wood-slat facade and their changing position creates a more modern and playful appearance in contrast to the traditional plastered and molded ground floor facade.
Linking the 3 floors is a central staircase and atrium with skylights bringing light into the otherwise dark space. Passages around the staircase form galleries with views to the ground floor. Steel and glass doors allow views from the entrance hall through to the kitchen and garden creating an inviting and alluring set of spaces. Construction starts early 2019.
