CHALLENGE: Maintain the view of the sea using the highest level of the land, making possible vehicular and pedestrian access through ramps.
SOLUTION: Taking advantage of the topography of the lot, a house is designed that supports a large part of its main structure on the natural terrain and leaves the entire front of the house cantilevered, creating a unique panoramic view with internal gardens that integrate with the landscaping design of the project..
Villa Mar, is a house located in the area of Punta Roca, Colombia; which is projected as a space in total harmony with the natural environment, reflecting in its architectural and interior design three basic concepts: sustainability, functionality and simplicity. The project is located at the highest point of the land, and takes advantage of the slope towards the sea to generate a semi-basement level, where the pool and terrace areas are located.
Adjacent to this level, a glass viewing-space is projected whose structure functions as a retaining wall against landslides in times of rain; this space becomes a place to contemplate the sea; It has a direct connection to the beach through natural stone stairs where the limits of the interior and exterior are blurred.
Volumetrically, it is made up of a prism inside which vertical voids are generated at double height with vegetation. On the first level, the service areas and social areas are projected, which are oriented with a direct view of the sea; and on the second level are located the area of rooms interconnected by a double-height bridge that ensures a visual connection between all the interior enclosures of the space. To ensure the thermal comfort of the house, in addition to the correct orientation of the architectural volume, metal lattices are arranged on the facades that produce a play of light and shadow inside: on the south-west façade these elements are arranged vertically to regulate the solar incidence in the morning hours and in the Northeast façade they are arranged horizontally allowing the entry of controlled lighting in the afternoo
The lattices also serve as a protective barrier against the characteristic saltpeter of the area. The house was designed for the use of renewable energies, so a system of photovoltaic panels is projected on its roof capable of generating 100% of the energy that the house needs for its normal operation. Additionally, in the basement there are water tanks, capable of collecting and storing the gray water and water produced by the air conditioning equipment which will be treated and reused later for the irrigation of the green areas.