TR House, Barcelona
In 2016, the architectural practice PMMT completed TR House in Barcelona, Spain. The unique chequerboard screen of glazed ceramic tiles that wraps around the house was designed with the intention of blending in with the surrounding gardens.
The gardens surround an existing 19th-century house that belonged to the parents of the client. This meant that the architects were faced with the challenge of integrating a new house into the landscape without obstructing the views from the existing house.
The steepness of the site required that the volume of the house was split, so that the three-storey building is partially submerged in the descending ground, and so that access could be provided by entrances on different levels.
Vertical chestnut boards clad the majority of the front and rear facades, with glazed openings that are positioned carefully so as to reveal views but maintain the inhabitants’ privacy.
The other facades are wrapped in a semi-solid surface, cascading down from the pergola on the upper floor terrace. This green surface is composed of vitrified ceramic tiles fixed to a stainless steel wire lattice. This innovative tile technique has been patented as Fabrik by the manufacturers Shildan Group. For more information, see Fabrik by Shildan.
The centre of the building contains an open-air patio, lined with glazing to enable natural light to permeate the surrounding rooms. At the rear of the building, the main living areas open onto a secluded area of decking.
Content courtesy of PMMT.
Photography copyright of Pedro Pegenaute.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Electrotechnical excellence, now open for entries.
Net zero electricity grids BSRIA guide NZG 5/2024
Outlining the changes needed to transition to net zero.
CIOB Global Student Challenge 2024
Universitas Indonesia wins for second year running.
New project and cultural district described in detail.
The nature of EPCs, crticism and inaccuracies.
History, issues and redesign.
From waste recycling to energy performance the hierchy.
An introduction to WERCS and WEEE responsibilities
Dealing with 2 million tonnes of waste equipment a year.
Global BACS Market: analytics and optimisation
A BSRIA glance at building automation and control systems.
What it is and how to use it.
Types of insulating plaster by binder and insulant.
Investors in People: CIOB achieves gold
Reflecting a commitment to employees and members.
Scratching beneath the surface; a guide to selection.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.
For the World Autism Awareness Month of April.