Nominated for Archdaily's 2025 building of the year | SABATER HOUSE
Nominated for Archdaily’s 2025 building of the year | SABATER HOUSE
03/02/2025
Sabater House project has been selected as a finalist for the 2025 Building of the Year Award by ArchDaily. This annual award celebrates excellence in Spanish-speaking architecture and recognizes the talent and innovation of architects in the region.
ArchDaily has invited the community to participate in the public vote, which will remain open until March 26. This democratic process allows the public to play a crucial role in selecting the winner, giving Sabater House the opportunity to be recognized not only by experts but also by architecture enthusiasts worldwide.
The project is deeply rooted in its surroundings. The building unfolds with a very clear geometry, moving away from the idea of a compact architectural form. This strategy, combined with the slender proportions of the construction, extends the house’s contact with the outdoors, creating a system of courtyards that seem to have no limits.
This geometric approach allows the structure to weave around existing large trees while embracing new plantings. The architecture is drawn between the garden, aiming to create a seamless, unified experience. The project adapts to the topography through a terraced system reminiscent of the ascending paths of some hermitages. It follows an aggregation system that could be expanded, as required by the program of this residence.
The main program is divided into three levels. The upper floor houses the night area, oriented to overlook the sea above the tree line. From this level, there is access to the lower floor’s rooftop, which serves as a belvedere, offering panoramic views of the landscape.
You can vote for the project HERE.
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New project in Johanna, Australia
New project in Johanna, Australia
27/01/2025
The house is conceived as the compressed space resulting from the superposition of five very thin circular elements. Some of these elements form the roof, while others create the floor, terraces, and pool.
The interior layout seeks to regularize the geometry through an orthogonal floor plan while generating wide semicircular terraces on the exterior. The unique approach to the site, from a lower elevation, allows the access sequence to become a journey in which the various circular elements gradually appear, constantly changing due to their geometric nature, as one moves closer to the house.
Johanna Beach, in Victoria, Australia, is a peaceful corner within the Great Otway National Park. With untouched landscapes, it offers a unique experience to connect with nature and admire breathtaking views of the ocean and cliffs.
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Presentation of Villa 95 of Cork Oak Mansion and the First Neuroarchitecture Study Applied to a Luxury Home
Presentation of Villa 95 of Cork Oak Mansion and the First Neuroarchitecture Study Applied to a Luxury Home
20/01/2025
On January 16, 2025, Sotogrande became the epicenter of architectural innovation with the presentation of Villa 95, designed by Fran Silvestre for the exclusive Cork Oak Mansion project. The event also marked the launch of the first scientific study of neuroarchitecture applied to a luxury home, developed by the Neuroarchitecture Laboratory of the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV).
During the event, Fran Silvestre personally presented Villa 95, which attendees had the opportunity to visit. They experienced firsthand how the architectural design of this residence integrates with its surroundings and promotes well-being. Additionally, Cork Oak Mansion used the occasion to announce its next project in collaboration with Fran Silvestre’s team: Villa Stern, also located in Sotogrande, which promises to continue exploring the path of architectural innovation and sustainability.
Juan Luis Higuera and Mª Luisa Nolé delivered a lecture delving into the concept of neuroarchitecture, explaining how this interdisciplinary field studies the relationship between the built environment and human emotions, behaviors, and well-being. They emphasized how the principles of neuroarchitecture enable the design of spaces that optimize emotional experiences for inhabitants, incorporating variables such as light, acoustics, materials, and spatial proportions to create environments that foster emotional and mental balance.
The event highlighted how this groundbreaking study will evaluate the impact of architectural design on the emotions of its inhabitants using advanced metrics and technologies. This scientific milestone aims to demonstrate how design can influence emotional well-being, marking a turning point in evaluating architectural projects with tools derived from neuroscience.
Situated on a 2,317-square-meter plot in the prestigious enclave of Altos de Valderrama, Villa 95 represents the perfect union of design, sustainability, and innovation. This project marks the beginning of a journey toward architecture that not only seeks beauty and functionality but also aims to positively impact people’s quality of life, making architectural design an ally for health and holistic well-being.
With this project, Sotogrande reaffirms its position as a benchmark for architectural innovation and sustainability, paving the way for a new era where architecture and science collaborate to transform the living experience.
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Cover and Feature of the Studio | WABISABI
Cover and Feature of the Studio | WABISABI
13/01/2025
The January edition of WABISABI magazine features our project, Casa en Sotogrande, on its front and back covers, as well as a feature article about our offices.
WABISABI is a bimonthly magazine focused on global aesthetics, encompassing topics such as architecture, interior design, and contemporary art. Inspired by the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection and transience, the publication aims to connect with the present moment and guide readers in exploring undiscovered forms of beauty.
Through its editions, WABISABI offers in-depth articles on innovative architectural projects, interviews with prominent artists and designers, and explorations of interior spaces that embody the essence of wabi-sabi. The magazine also delves into lifestyle topics, examining how the wabi-sabi philosophy can be integrated into daily life to foster a deeper appreciation for the beauty found in simplicity and ephemerality.
In addition to its print version, WABISABI ISSUE maintains an active digital presence, offering additional and exclusive content through its website and associated platforms. Readers can access articles, interviews, and features that complement and expand the magazine experience, enabling a deeper immersion into the topics covered.
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New Project: Hotel in Benicàssim
Nuevo proyecto: Hotel en Benicàssim
06/01/2025
Benicàssim is about to set a milestone in the hospitality sector with the construction of Spain’s first hotel to receive the Well Building Standard certification, a seal that guarantees built spaces promote health and well-being. The future Hotel Estimar, designed by our studio Fran Silvestre Arquitectos, , will rise on the last available plot in the beachfront of Heliópolis Beach, located on Ferrandis Salvador Avenue.
The project, developed by the family-owned company Estimar Hotels, will not only stand out as a pioneer in well-being but also for its focus on sustainability, meeting Leed standards. This innovative hotel will feature 105 rooms, a spa with six treatment cabins, meeting rooms, event spaces, a restaurant, a ground-floor pool, and a spectacular rooftop with a restaurant area and a public pool. Additionally, it will dedicate one underground parking level to the local council, offering 96 public parking spaces, a key requirement to enhance the town’s tourism experience.
With an estimated workforce of 65 to 70 employees year-round, Estimar Benicàssim aims to break away from the seasonal nature typical of the industry by leveraging event, sports, and Nordic tourism. According to Estimar Hotels’ CEO, Juan Oltra, the goal is to establish a stable employment model aligned with the company’s strategy in other exclusive destinations such as Calpe and Valencia.
Benicàssim, known as a top-tier tourist destination in the province of Castellón, is thus positioned to strengthen its offerings with an establishment that blends luxury, sustainability, and well-being. This new project, set to become a benchmark in the national hospitality industry, reflects Estimar Hotels’ commitment to building a few select hotels of exceptional quality in privileged locations.
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Risbel Magazine in Collaboration with Range Rover
Risbel Magazine in Collaboration with Range Rover
30/12/2024
Risbel Magazine has dedicated an article to Fran Silvestre and our studio in collaboration with Range Rover, featuring Villa Lavan, located in La Moraleja, Madrid. The report includes a photoshoot by the renowned photographer Valero Rioja.
Villa Lavan is conceived as an overlapping of two bold volumes that, through a rotation between them, create covered terraces and orient the upper floor towards distant landscape views. The volumes feature two solid sides that serve a structural purpose, enabling the facades to open entirely with large windows that connect the interior to the garden, emphasizing a strong sense of horizontality.
Risbel Magazine is a Spanish publication aimed at a male audience, focusing on fashion, trends, personal care, fitness, wellness, current events, and lifestyle. Founded in 2013 by journalist Mateo Carrasco López-Jurado, the magazine has established itself as a reference in the luxury and lifestyle sector for men in Spain.
Headquartered in Madrid, Risbel Magazine operates as a transmedia outlet, offering editorial and audiovisual content through its print, online, and social media platforms, in addition to organizing events related to its themes.
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Photoshooting | Villa 95
Photoshooting | Villa 95
23/12/2024
Our studio has conducted the photoshoot of our recently completed project, Villa 95, in Sotogrande. For this, we collaborated with the renowned photographer Fernando Guerra, one of the most prestigious architectural photographers in the world.
The expressive nature of this three-story house is designed as a continuous movement that suggests, through its various spaces, a journey to visually explore the expansive landscape in front of it.
The exterior morphology is arranged with the aim of fully utilizing the buildable area of the plot. Resolved through its long diagonal, the structures appear to connect only at their vertices, while inside, they intertwine in constant communication.
The upper floor opens onto a large terrace, the roof of the middle volume, whose boundaries expand in both directions — outward toward the pool and inward into the plot, reaching the edges of the upper level.
Through its staggered configuration and uninterrupted succession of spaces, the structure invites the gaze to follow its form — an almost playful figure that instantly embodies and suggests the house’s identity.
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Under Construction Roca Views Ibiza
Under Construction Roca Views Ibiza
16/12/2024
Construction begins on the Roca Views project in Ibiza, set in a privileged location where the hillside becomes the central stage.
The project is rooted in the search for a solution that allows building on the slope while respecting its surroundings. This architectural challenge is brought to life through an elegant and minimalist proposal: a sheet of just 9 centimeters in thickness, subtly folded to adapt seamlessly to the natural gradient of the terrain and comply with urban planning regulations.
The design seeks to integrate harmoniously with the landscape, enhancing both frontal and lateral views to transform the space into a true lookout point. The residence goes beyond merely occupying the land; it acts as a mechanism that “captures” the surrounding scenery. Every line and fold of its structure is designed to embrace the essence of Ibiza, creating a shaded retreat from which to appreciate the island’s natural beauty.
The spatial sequence of the home follows a descending organization that mirrors the natural rhythm of the slope. At the top, a discreet garage blends seamlessly into the geometry of the structure. As one moves downward, the daytime living area unfolds as an open space connecting with the outdoors, offering direct access to the pool, which becomes a reflective surface mirroring the sky and surrounding landscape. Finally, the nighttime area, located on the lowest level, provides privacy and tranquility.
This project is not just a technical response to the challenge of building on a slope; it is a statement of principles about how architecture can be both effective and beautiful. The residence does not impose itself on the landscape; instead, it folds into the terrain, allowing the scenery to take center stage.
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Under Construction: New Project in Koh Samui, Thailand
Under Construction: New Project in Koh Samui, Thailand
09/12/2024
Located on a privileged plot with spectacular ocean views, the house in Koh Samui is positioned on elevated terrain, providing an almost uninterrupted visual connection with the horizon. The primary architectural goal is to maximize these sea views while protecting from rear-facing views and ensuring privacy from neighbors. The home appears to float atop a mountain, evoking a sense of isolation and serenity.
The design is structured around two main levels: an upper level housing social areas and a lower level reserved for more intimate and service spaces. The upper level is designed to function as a self-sufficient unit, featuring a master bedroom and common areas such as the kitchen, living room, and dining area, which flow seamlessly onto a spacious terrace with an infinity pool visually blending into the sea. This level serves as the social heart of the home, fully functional for daily living. The architecture is defined by a composition of horizontal slabs divided into two white planes, creating a dynamic, elongated façade that adapts to the spaces and their orientation. These overlapping planes also incorporate structural elements like trusses, enabling large overhangs and open spaces with minimal visible structural intervention. The design not only enhances the views but also discreetly integrates installations within the gaps between the planes, maintaining a clean and minimalist aesthetic.
The lower level features a second master bedroom along with complementary spaces, including a gym and additional service areas. At this level, the connection between interior and exterior is enhanced through bathrooms and showers that open directly to the landscape, blurring the boundaries between both realms. Given the steep slope of the plot, a landscaping design has been implemented to integrate the construction organically with its surroundings, respecting the terrain and minimizing earth movement. This landscaping approach is combined with a design that emphasizes visual harmony with the environment, utilizing natural materials and neutral tones to create a calm and exclusive atmosphere.
This project offers a unique living experience where modern architecture and spectacular ocean views blend seamlessly with functional design and discreet integration into the natural surroundings of Koh Samui.
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"Thinking Through Making" Workshop with Fran Silvestre
“Thinking Through Making” Workshop with Fran Silvestre
02/12/2024
The “Thinking Through Making” Workshop led and conducted by Fran Silvestre, director of the MArch programs, has begun. These sessions delve into the theory presented by Juhani Pallasmaa in his book The Thinking Hand, shaping ideas with one’s own hands. Students explore various techniques for creating models during the conceptual phase, working with sculpture, plastic arts, and the fundamentals of casting. Additionally, they have the opportunity to experiment with different materials to bring their ideas to life.
Model-making is an essential tool in architecture, as it transforms abstract concepts into physical representations that enhance the understanding of spatial and structural relationships within a design. This process, known as “thinking with hands,” not only stimulates creativity but also fosters problem-solving skills and the ability to explore different solutions tangibly.
By materializing ideas, architects can identify details that might otherwise go unnoticed in drawings, thereby improving the quality and accuracy of their designs. Furthermore, models allow for the visualization of spaces and the interaction of their elements in a concrete way, facilitating communication with clients and team members, who can directly experience the project’s features.
Through this workshop, students in the MArch program not only learn the importance of models as a fundamental tool in the architectural design process but also begin their training in transitioning from idea to materialization. This practical exercise helps them develop a deeper understanding of how to approach the different phases of an architectural project, from the conceptual phase to the definition of details. By working directly with physical models, students experience the creative process in an immersive way, enabling them to apply this knowledge to future projects with a more comprehensive and reflective approach.
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