Barcelona Houzz Tour: Stunning Views and A Pool to Match
Clinging to the side of a hill, this three-level home was built to optimise sight lines over the Montserrat mountains
This house in Barcelona, Spain, is architect Jorge Campreciós’ dream come true. Taking a cue from architectural inspirations like Pierre Koenig and Richard Neutra, he built a statement home that adapts to its landscape and offers magical views of the Spanish countryside – not to mention a sneaky pool that pops up where you least expect it.
Inspired by the big names of modern architecture, like Pierre Koenig and Richard Neutra, Campreciós sought to adapt his home’s design to the landscape. The result is a structure that, from certain vantage points, recalls the bow of a ship. Moreover, “the windows and doors toward the pool, which gets unobstructed light from the south, are essential to the natural lighting of this area,” Campreciós says.
The house is situated on a steep slope, and has a total of three floors: the top floor hosts an office that overlooks the pool, and a bathroom with a shower; the middle level includes a large living and dining space, the kitchen with a breakfast corner and a large pantry, and a guest toilet; finally, on the lower floor are the children’s bedrooms, the master bedroom with its ensuite bathroom and dressing room, and a laundry area.
The house is situated on a steep slope, and has a total of three floors: the top floor hosts an office that overlooks the pool, and a bathroom with a shower; the middle level includes a large living and dining space, the kitchen with a breakfast corner and a large pantry, and a guest toilet; finally, on the lower floor are the children’s bedrooms, the master bedroom with its ensuite bathroom and dressing room, and a laundry area.
There are two entrances to the house, both on the south side. While the family use the entrance on the middle floor, visitors approach the house from the street on a wooden path that leads to the guest entrance on the top – street-level – floor.
The office on the top floor looks out onto the pool. This space is exclusively for the parents’ use, since the children have study corners in their bedrooms. On this floor there is also a bathroom with a shower.
This is the north side of the house, which offers incredible views. It is a quiet environment with a lot of fresh air. “At nights we hear Dom barking, usually because a wild boar is approaching,” says daughter Sofia.
Northern section
The interior stands out for its clean lines and open, functional spaces. Concrete, steel and wood were the primary materials used throughout.
“[The design] came from the intersection of lines projected from the vanishing points obtained from the intersection of the boundaries of the property,” the architect says. In this way, the home was optimised for the views dictated by the boundaries of the property.
Iron fireplace, Rocal
“[The design] came from the intersection of lines projected from the vanishing points obtained from the intersection of the boundaries of the property,” the architect says. In this way, the home was optimised for the views dictated by the boundaries of the property.
Iron fireplace, Rocal
The terraces on the north side of the home offer views of the mountain. The owners like to barbecue or read here.
The deck is Cumaru wood – also known as Brazilian teak – which is very hard and durable, and therefore easy to care for and ideal for outdoor spaces.
The deck is Cumaru wood – also known as Brazilian teak – which is very hard and durable, and therefore easy to care for and ideal for outdoor spaces.
The house offers beautiful views of the Montserrat mountain range, in the background of this photo.
Here, the family – with the exception of the oldest son, who is studying in Boston – pose on the cantilevered staircase, which is made of steel plates welded to a plate anchored to the concrete wall. “This is designed to be integrated naturally into the interior space,” Campreciós says.
The floor of the house is oak, while the kitchen features a faux-slate ceramic flooring. Black is the dominant colour because they wanted a dark hue to make this open kitchen recede from view. The cabinets are from Cocinas Santos and the countertops are made of Zimbabwe black granite.
The protagonist of this space is a big island where guests often gather.
The protagonist of this space is a big island where guests often gather.
The wainscoting in the breakfast corner is made up of wine corks collected by the couple. Behind the dining room area is a big pantry, ideal for the family.
As already mentioned, the bedrooms, bathrooms and laundry area are on the lower floor. This is the master bedroom. This whole level has underfloor heating, while cross-ventilation provides passive cooling. “This level is the most comfortable on both the hottest and coldest days,” says the owner, “it has something like a cave effect.”
The bedroom includes a spacious dressing room at the entrance. Another thing that stands out is a spa area with a hot tub and rain shower. The owner tells us that she tries to reserve time “at least once a week for this little pleasure.”
The two younger kids on the terrace of the middle storey
The railing on the middle storey terrace, made of stainless-steel cables, inclines inwards to, once again, express the nautical theme that sea-enthusiast Campreciós loves so much. But it was also designed that way for safety. “When we moved in, the children were eleven, four and three years old, so we wanted something they wouldn’t be able to climb,” he says.
Tell us
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, save the story, and join in the conversation.
The railing on the middle storey terrace, made of stainless-steel cables, inclines inwards to, once again, express the nautical theme that sea-enthusiast Campreciós loves so much. But it was also designed that way for safety. “When we moved in, the children were eleven, four and three years old, so we wanted something they wouldn’t be able to climb,” he says.
Tell us
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, save the story, and join in the conversation.
House at a Glance
Who lives here? Jorge Campreciós; Ariana Garí; their three kids, Gonzalo, 21 (who is studying in Boston), Sofía, 14, and Nando, 13; and Dom, their four-year-old Jack Russell Terrier
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Size: 350 square metres
Architect: Jorge Campreciós of JC architect
Campreciós and Garí met in Ibiza and lived in Boston for five years. There Campreciós worked for several architectural studios and got a masters degree in engineering while Garí worked as a journalist. Now back in Spain, both work from home in the real estate industry.
On hot days, they take a break to swim in the unique pool pictured here.