periscope house

'periscope house' by C+ arquitectos, la selva de mar, girona, spain
photo Miguel de Guzman


in la selva de mar, a protected village in the upper empordá of girona, spain, rests the 'periscope house', a residence by madrid-based 
practice C+ arquitectos. a rehabilitation of ruins, the recovered stone walls form the envelope of the dwelling, utilizing the existing
stepped roof planes by turning them into habitable patios for inhabitants. the inward experience is created by pushing rooms to the perimeter, 
attaching to the solid exterior enclosure to liberate the central space for a flexible range of activities including football of parties. 
two geometrical chasms pass through the floor plates offering kaleidoscope views from the interior while introducing light and ventilation. 
nature is enjoyed in a variety of scales with unobstructed vistas from the rooftop level, the encompassing green-covered mountains reflected 
within the glazing units and a moss growing on the stacked stone facade.

reusing the original structure supported the rules of conservation, with the inclusion of details such as time-induced vegetation 
growing along its surfaces and tilting of elements. due to the lack of direct road access, all materials for the building were hand transported 
and manipulated.



stone enclosure is connected with a vertical chasm
photo Miguel de Guzman



first floor entry
photo Miguel de Guzman



first floor entry
photo Miguel de Guzman



vertical void passes from roof through to the ground level courtyard
photo Miguel de Guzman



vertical courtyard
photo Miguel de Guzman



vertical courtyard
photo Miguel de Guzman



flexible central space
photo Miguel de Guzman



flexible central space
photo Miguel de Guzman



living / dining room + kitchen
photo Miguel de Guzman



(left) liberated centralized space used for activity
(right) entry to bathroom
photo Miguel de Guzman



ground level corridor
photo Miguel de Guzman



ground level corridor
photo Miguel de Guzman



ground level entry
photo Miguel de Guzman



rooftop patios
photo Miguel de Guzman