This transformation maintains the majority of the original structure and facades incorporating within them totally new circulation, greatly increased levels of natural light, and new attached timber balconies.
The design strategy involved a complete structural transformation of the two-story building from the 1980s, creating new, contrasting spaces on both levels and a new roof terrace with views of the sea.
THE BUILDING
Crucial to the success of the project was opening up the centre of the house giving a southern aspect and views out to Palma bay from the living room.
Inverting the floor levels allowed the upper floor to be entirely opened up at the entry level, with the entrance, salon, kitchen and office all forming one continuous space, arranged around a new glass and steel light-weight staircase.
Natural light was also primary in transforming access to the smaller spaces on the lower floor. The Double Helix spiral staircase, in stainless steel and glass, allows southern light from the new roof terrace to pierce the bottom of the house. The two flights of the staircase are off-set, taking advantage of the curious structural geometry of the existing structure.
The Double Helix staircase is made of stainless steel and etched glass, and allows light from the roof terrace above, to penetrate down to the centre of the lower bedroom floor.
Certain aspects of the character of the original home have been preserved and reinterpreted. The Fibonacci front door is a response to the classic geometry of the Santanyi stone archway. The regular arch is reinterpreted using pale ash and dark American oak in an asymmetric spiral; the inner face is of equal importance, inverting the exterior pattern and facing towards the entire upper floor.
The southern facade is totally rebuilt, encouraging a closer relationship between the whole of the upper floor and the sea views across the bay. Large new sliding windows open up onto new timber balconies, extending the internal space out beyond the limit of the glass.
This project in Calvia rationalises the spatial organisation of the home, retaining the original amount of accommodation while giving dramatic new naturally lighted space within the shell of the existing building.