ISLA architects breathe new life into an incomplete house on a pristine island in Santa Maria, Mallorca. Sensual and warm, the Lover's House overlooks Spain's Tramontana Mountains, its terracotta-pink exterior seeping into the dusty terrain. The large openings form the frame of the swimming pool and provide panoramic views of the surrounding vineyards and sanctuary pine trees, taken care of by the client over the years. Its striking silhouette resembles Luis Barragán's unique use of light and color block architecture, giving the design both earthy and modern. To create a residence that stands out in the local real estate market, ISLA Architects draws on Spain's rich architectural heritage and Mallorca's sun-drenched relaxed lifestyle to create this romantic getaway with texture and warmth.
Follow a winding path to the entrance of the house, where the façade looks essentially enclosed – a tribute to local Arabic architecture. The rough, red mortar of the walls is pierced by openings of various sizes, including glazed and unglazed openings, enveloping the border landscape and forming an integral abstract composition. "This limited material palette reveals the simple geometry of the building and creates visual and tactile continuity between the building and its surroundings. Monochromatic and vibrant houses that change hues during the day, react to the sun and land, revealing movement and changing material nuances through shadows," the architect explains. The rosé palette of the façade extends inside. Washbasins, showers, fireplaces and benches are made of familiar red concrete and offset by white, copper and natural wood tones. Inspired by Catalan architect Josep Antoni Coderch, the 541-square-meter layout was developed on several axes, articulating walls arranged in a north-south direction.
An entrance hall extending the longitude of the building separates the bedrooms. The master bedroom faces south towards a large courtyard with tinted concrete benches. The south wing also features two twin bedrooms with luxurious access to the garden, while guest bedrooms occupy the first part of the house and have their own private courtyard. From the living room you can see the radiant Alaro Twin Mountains, which is the widest bay in the house. The western wall has an exterior window cut into it, visually connecting the space to the pool outside, while water reflections dance romantically on the beams of the ceiling. Flanked by large glass sliding doors that can be opened during the summer months to create cross ventilation. The kitchen is located on the north side and opens onto its own courtyard, independent of the living space but connected by an open fireplace. The layout is the perfect balance of private and entertaining spaces. With fluid interiors and spacious open areas, the home extends into the garden, adjacent terraces and swimming pools, just like an extension of the natural landscape.