Impressive House Design in Girona: Sunflower House

Cadaval & Solà-Morales, an architecture studio based in both Spain and Mexico, designed the two-storey residence as a home for a couple in Port de la Selva (Girona), a fishing village on the north-easterly tip of Spain's Costa Brava.

The clients asked for a house that takes advantage of the impressive scenery, but to do this the architects had to overcome a major issue – the cliffside location is directly exposed to the harsh northerly Tramontane wind.

The result is a building made up of different segments, angled to catch the sun at different times of the day while also framing a variety of views out towards the ocean. This prompted the building's name – Sunflower House.

There are five cubes on each storey, which together enclose a generous double-height living space.
They also frame a patio that is sheltered from the wind, allowing residents to sit outside on blustery days.

A simple materials palette was chosen for both inside and outside. The outer walls are coated in a textured white render, while white internal walls are accompanied by a concrete floor.

A heavy-duty glass more typically used in skyscraper construction was also chosen, ensuring that windows are resistant to strong winds and salt water.