Rolling white sand dunes, clear blue sea, soul-nurturing serenity and an idyllic though occasionally harsh climate, comprise aspects of its natural beauty. On the edge of the dunes, this minimalist retreat is in harmony with its surroundings.

The house was commissioned a few years ago by an architecturally-aware New York couple as ‘the ideal vacation home’; an ‘open, yet private’ house with clean horizontal lines and large glass areas. The two-bedroom home was completed in 2006 after an 18 month construction period.

From the outset of this 828m² project, the architects found themselves in a fortunate, if not rare, position. ‘The client gave us a concise and direct brief with virtual carte blanche. Our aim was to create a simplified composition, playing with the juxtaposition of rectangular elements’, recalls project partner, Stefan Antoni.

Designed within an overall simple L-shape plan, the ground floor is slightly elevated to take advantage of the site’s expansive sea views through open, fully-glazed façades. Correspondingly, a terraced courtyard that overlooks the rectangular swimming pool is sheltered within the 90-degree angle created outside.

The ground level accommodates the home’s social activities and includes an open-plan dining and kitchen area, plus the airy living room with natural stone-clad fireplace as a focal point. From this central hub a cantilevered staircase accesses the upper floor with two bedrooms, bathrooms, a sea-facing balcony and roof terrace. The lower ground floor houses a guest room with en suite bathroom, studio and a dramatic cascading stone-clad water feature, further outdoor areas and useful storage space.

January/February 2012 Issue

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