Florence Deau 
Sometimes, the virtue of modern architecture seems to make possible the impossible, by defying the laws of gravity – as when constructing a house, suspended in the air, hanging on an abrupt cliffside overlooking the breathtaking Mediterranean Sea scenery …
Located in the town of Calpe, next to Alicante, Spain, Casa del Acantilado has been designed by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos.
The extremely steep plot of land offers such spectacular sea views that it invites one to spend time, relax and do nothing. A piece is incrusted into the sloping land, maintaining its natural profile which is overshadowed by the house on top. Under the sunlight, the swimming-pool is closer to the sea and a quiet cove. In the point of inflection, the stairway posits an evocative journey, a garden on the basement.
A horizontal platform is created by this stone-anchored monolithic construction on the level of access from the street, where the living area is located. The swimming-pool is located on a lower level, in a flat area of the site. The concrete construction has external thermal insulation with a flexible, smooth, white grout lime coating. The remaining materials, walls, flooring, roof ballasting… are in the same colour, underscoring the homogeneous character.
Considering the steepness of the land and the desire to contain the living area on one storey, a three-dimensional structure of reinforced concrete slabs and pieces that adapt to the land’s topography was chosen, thus reducing earthworks to a minimum.
Photos © Diego Opazo
+ Via Archdaily
