Name: Es Pujol de s’era / Home – Office in Formentera island
Location: Camí Vell de la Mola km. 2,3. Formentera. SPAIN
Architect: Marià Castelló Martínez
Building engineer: Agustí Yern Ribas + Albert Yern Ribas
Structure: Albert Yern Ribas, José Antonio Molina, Salvador Soteras & Agustí Yern
Collaborators: Marga Ferrer, Laura Tur, Carmen Martínez, Josep Castelló, Catalina Verdera, Jaume Luís, Segundo García, Pep Yern & Belén Molina.
Constructor: Construccions Pep Sala SL
Finishes: Can Guirau SL  –  Alfredo Juan
Duration: 2004-2011
Surface: 201 m2
Photography: Estudi EPDSE

A uniquely clean cut mod structure, designed to host both an office & a residence has brought great excitement to us. The architect Marià Castello selected the prime Camí vell de La Mola location in Formentera to complete this 201sqm structure. The finished project is all about earth, simplicity, purity, unity & light.

The site itself has played a serious role in the project’s architecture and character, giving focus on the existing vegetation and the fragment of the dry-stone wall. These two conditions draw out the dimensions, the orientation and the height of a construction of austere geometry. In addition, an existing old chapel built over an underground water cistern marks out the building’s longitudinal axis and is a constant reference of dialogue/tension, both in the exterior and the interior. This reference is quite dominant in the northern elevation where the traditional dry-stone wall establishes the alignment of the territory whilst placing and setting it within the e at the same time setting it in the landscape. Relations with the surroundings take centre stage are of prime context, and have been executed with great sensitivity. Consisting primarily of large glazing’s on the north & south side, the surrounding views are picture perfect. With the Iroko movable paneling and the pivot openings, the essence of unity with the outside is truly liberating. You can almost visualize a woman walking from the kitchen bare foot outside on the edge of the structure and carrying on onto the landscape and beyond. Simply and absolutely ‘sexy’.         

Consisting of an office & a residential space the division of the two lifestyles has been executed with symmetry and complete severity. The small architecture studio is present in the north side and repeated on the south side in the form of a space of identical dimensions in the small but smart dwelling. One of the greatest features of indication for these two divisions is the subtle niche present exteriorly on the two sides of the structure subtly indicating the division between work and play. This is a great detail representing continuity beyond the walls of the structure and onto the landscape. Wanting however to achieve the perfect harmony between earth & man the small setback around the edge in section creates the sensation that the building is floating over the site.

Moving inside the interior follows the exact same language of harmony. Dividing the two type structures from within is a nucleus of services consisting of bookshelves, bathroom, kitchen, fold out beds, cupboards and two sliding walls which divide these main areas in order to create more intimate spaces such as an annexed office or guest room. The interiors are both bright and pure where one’s focus is drawn to the outside views. The main internal presence is of course the Iroko wood element, which in combination with the naturally white interiors, is portrayed as the dominant feature. With its horizontal and vertical presence, it dominates the areas and successfully brings together all the relations.

Through understanding both the external and internal element of this structure we can see the greatness in Marià Castelló Martínez’s creation. Everything has a reference, a purpose & a relation to everything that surrounds it. For when you incorporate the greatness that surrounds you, your design becomes great itself.

photo © Estudi EPDSE