Garbí House – Ramon Esteve

Valencia 2021 670 m²

The Garbí House is located in the local Esplanade, just a few metres from the seashore. It is a quiet, low-density area, among typical fishermen’s houses dated in the early 20^th century. The design process included the reinterpretation and abstraction of these vernacular buildings. The Garbí House is placed between party walls and respects the aesthetic parametres of the contiguous houses seeking the highest degree of integration.

After studying the decorative elements in this dwelling typology, the mouldings, window frames and balustrades were pared down with the aim of keeping the picturesque character of the Esplanade while offering a more abstract, conceptual and contemporary look.

The plot is long and narrow. The dwelling lies on the side facing the beach, while the opposite side holds an auxiliary building, originally dedicated to store scaffoldings. Between the two buildings, there is a long garden which the house opens to. This large courtyard is more private and houses a long swimming pool, several terraces and a barbecue. Deciduous trees have been selected in order to allow direct insulation in winter and to protect the interior from sun exposure in summer.

The interior is clear and light-filled. A small courtyard with a green wall provides oxygen and coolness to the house. White-washed wood covers the floors, walls and ceilings and generates a welcoming and cool atmosphere. The sides of the house are covered with longitudinal furniture that meet different needs according to the room. The interior of these rooms is cladded with dark wood that provides elegance and sophistication to the space, complemented by the kitchen island and the dining table.

The house has a front terrace on the ground floor and another one on the first floor, resulting from a setback, connected to the master bedroom and enjoying exceptional views of the beach.