A winter refuge on the slopes.
In Pleta Arriu we created a comfortable and luxurious contemporary home with amenities. Respecting the surrounding landscape, we proposed a reinterpretation of the vernacular architecture of the Pyrenees.
Thirty-eight homes are presented in groups of two, three, four and five houses, surrounded by ample, green areas. The natural incline of the parcel facilitates the disposition of each home in such a way that none becomes an obstacle in another’s view, each one can enjoy the direct sunlight coming from the South, a necessity during the cold winter months. This slope also allows us to organize the homes’ different environments on different levels.
“…Don’t buy copies of art. If you can’t afford the real thing, go for a walk and find a stone that looks as beautiful as a Brancusi sculpture. You can find amazing things in nature…”
— Axel Vervoodt
We created three types of homes in which the views and natural light take center-stage. The entrance vestibule on the lowest level of the house is dim and cozy. As one climbs up to the other levels, double-heighted spaces appear as well as inclined roofs and enormous windows that transform the space into a stunning sensory experience.
The use of local materials such as slate in shades of grey and natural wood bear witness to the elements such as, the sun, the wind, the rain, the heat and the cold. They blend into the environment and testify the passage of time with signs of wear, cracks, streaks, rust, scratches, knots, porosity, color, shine and patina.
