OAB shapes artists' residence in spain as simple, white pavilion set with void courtyards

located in the village of gaüses in alt empordà, spain, OAB – office of architecture in barcelona has built a private residence for industrial designer/surrealist artist pete sans, and painter/mural artist regina saura. the house has been designed to reflect the owners’ aesthetic and creative approach, with the decoration featuring many of the couple’s creations.

all images by joan guillamat, OAB

determined by the topographical orientation and concern for privacy, the dwelling by OAB is articulated as a set of 12.5 x 5 metre pavilions interspersed with voids or courtyards. the programme is organised in the pavilions, while the voids provide access and allow cross-ventilation, as well as sufficient lighting to enter within the interiors.

the architects have essentially created a simple building, efficient thanks to the insulation, with its construction expressed in the materiality of its finishes. the inclined concrete ceilings and steel semi-beams, ceramic tongue and groove that receives the insulation, and arab roof tiles, are complemented with white stuccoed walls and polished concrete floors.

outside, there is a garden with lush native vegetation, as an extension of the local landscape. in addition, there is a small swimming pool and a movable pergola designed by pete sans. ultimately, the construction – an uncomplicated, austere building which has cost very little (less than €1,000/m2) – has allowed its inhabitants to find a way of personalising the new house, in order to make it theirs.

over the years, pete sans has created an extensive collection of sculptures which have found their place in the new residence. these art pieces include the cat-bench which is placed on the porch, the grasshopper on the patio and the metal spiders by the swimming pool. in addition, a lot of regina saura’s paintings can be found within the interior, but she has also left her mark on the most visible exterior facade, with a naturalist mural motif acting as a signature.

project info:

name: regina house
architecture office: OAB – office of architecture in barcelona 
lead architect: carlos ferrater
location: gaüses, spain

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom