In response, the "Casa PB16," designed by ESPECIE arquitectura, adds new spaces distributed as dispersed volumes in the form of transparent, translucent, plant-covered, or solid capsules. The program comprises a bedroom with an indoor heated pool, a dressing room, a laundry room, and a bathroom. The project is completed by an office with expansive views of the landscape, flexible enough to also serve as a guest bedroom.
The new extension is strategically suspended above the sloping terrain, supported by concrete foundations. In this way, the project seeks to minimize its impact on the natural ground. The thoughtful decision to elevate the house above the land protects it from potential flooding caused by rain, the natural growth of vegetation, and the spontaneous development of microorganisms.
"Casa PB16" by ESPECIE arquitectura. Photograph by David Frutos.
Project description by ESPECIE arquitectura
“Casa PB16” is a home extension and renovation project in a residential development on the outskirts of Murcia, designed by ESPECIE Arquitectura (Tatiana Poggi + Joaquín García Vicente). The client purchased the house knowing that at some point she would need to extend and renovate it to address the lack of connection between the house and a large part of the garden, due to the significant difference in elevation. When she contacted us, in addition to explaining this problem, she requested the addition of a heated indoor pool, both for therapeutic purposes and for personal enjoyment, as well as an outdoor office overlooking the garden that could also be used as a guest bedroom.
The plot is bisected by a natural ravine that runs lengthwise along the extension project. The project rests on the terrain, altering it as little as possible, creating an architectural prosthesis in several volumes that extend and disperse like small capsules. Some transparent, others translucent, some with plants, some solid… The new spaces rise above the garden, allowing the natural soil to permeate (while protecting themselves from potential flooding), maintaining the natural drainage and runoff of the ravine, and facilitating the natural development of the vegetation, animals, and microorganisms that coexist with us. Over the three years of construction, the ecosystem itself has generated a natural oasis that, far from being disturbed by the new construction, thrives alongside it.
In addition to the aforementioned extension, the existing house was renovated in the bedroom area. The bedroom is connected to the heated pool through sliding glass doors, fulfilling the dream of having a pool in your bedroom. The dressing room was also redesigned, a laundry area and bathroom were added, and a shower was installed at the far end of the extension overlooking the garden.
