With a View of the Whole

Situated on the clifftops, this house focuses on what matters most: the view, the protection of the private realm, and the living atmosphere.

A Balancing Act

Especially in tourist areas, single-family homes must meet a variety of requirements: On the one hand, special attention must be paid to assuring privacy and providing a place of retreat; on the other hand, it is important to consciously utilize and make the natural beauty of the location accessible. The house designed by TEd’A arquitectes in Mallorca masterfully achieves this balancing act.

Vista Shield House

Perched on the clifftops of Ses Penyes Rotges in the municipality of Calvià, it offers a magnificent, unobstructed view of the Mediterranean. The house stands on an 800-square-meter rectangular plot and is designed so that the rooms open to the sea, enabling clear vistas. At the same time, two parallel, solid brick walls shield the building from the proximity of neighboring structures. Above these walls rests a concrete beam supporting the heavy, green roof. The house features an open floor plan, with two bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms standing freely as cubes within the space.

Perforated Brick Interior

When the wooden front door is opened, the view extends through the house to the sea. To the left and right of the entrance, stacked brick blocks form semicircular walls, behind which lie small, green front gardens. This protects the spaces from being seen from the street while simultaneously offering the residents prospects of the surrounding greenery.
 
Inside, bricks play a central role – not only structurally, but also aesthetically. Where they are not load-bearing, they have simply been rotated 90 degrees, revealing their perforations. Openings were left unrestricted where ventilation was needed, while elsewhere the holes were filled with plaster. Even the fireplace, built-in furniture, kitchen counter, and cabinets are made of brick blocks.

Brick Award 26 Nominee Ca na Birgit - Ted'A Architects
© Luis Diaz Diaz

Facts & Figures

Project name: Ca na Birgit

Architects  TEd’A arquitectes, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Location  Calvià, Spain

Purpose  
Single-family housing

Year of completion  2024

Brick type  
Clay blocks, facing bricks, non-recoverable formwork with bricks

Category  Feeling At Home, Category Winner

Brick Award 26 Nominee Ca na Birgit - Ted'A Architects
© Luis Diaz Diaz

Brick Award 26

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