Vib Terrace
Exterior living-dining room elevation
The owners of the Vib Terrace project know how lucky they are to own such a property. They are aware of the spatial possibilities of their terrace project in Pedralbes; a penthouse with 360º views of the whole city. Having different orientations on the terrace of a penthouse is also something that offers a lot of potential.
In this refurbishment, located in the Pedralbes district of Barcelona, we were oriented towards the morning sun. That is to say, we were facing north. A factor that determined, to a certain extent, the functional layout of certain elements.
Vib Terrace project in Pedralbes
At the beginning of the last century, the use of lifts became standard in our European cities, and the appreciation of the horizontal division of buildings changed completely. In fact, this element was considered a functional and vitally important part of buildings of a certain height.
The main floors, which in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries had been the most sought-after properties, were occupied by the most distinguished families of the wealthy bourgeoisie. Gradually, however, these rooms lost their value to the higher floors. The rooms were brighter, quieter, better ventilated and with more privileged views of the neighbouring buildings.
The architectural space on the roof of the building, once used to house neighbourhood services such as laundry rooms, clotheslines and water tanks, was transformed. Many of them, with varying degrees of success, became dining terraces, pergolas, summer dining rooms, chill out areas and even outdoor kitchens.
Suddenly, owning an attic or a penthouse in Barcelona became the cool thing to do. Being able to live in the day-to-day life of a densely populated city and being connected to an outdoor space was gradually acquiring an ever-increasing value. A value that has continued to increase until the present day.
In the specific case of the terrace project in Pedralbes, described in these lines, the floor plan we were given corresponded to half of the property on which the penthouse was located. Therefore, it was planned in the shape of a perimeter “u”.
In the front part, the one facing the sea and larger in size, it was decided to locate the living and dining room space, which were directly connected. Both areas give access to an office that the family uses together.
This outdoor dining room is designed to seat approximately six people. In the same way, the adjoining lounge, with an “L” shaped sofa from the Dedon brand, was sized to be able to accommodate the after-dinner conversation of the diners.
“In our Mediterranean climate it is essential to implement some element of solar screening to create shaded areas”.
In this case, and actually in any large terrace project, it is imperative to consider the design of a large shaded space. This is essential in order to be able to accommodate, with guarantees of spatial comfort, the script described above and that of any environment that wants to be enjoyed beyond the spring. In our Mediterranean climate, it is essential to implement some kind of solar screening element to provide shelter during the hours of maximum sunshine.
Shaded areas
Bioclimatic pergolas
In this project we were considering different options for outdoor pergolas. Among them, bioclimatic pergolas, which allow a great versatility of use during the different seasons of the year. In the end, we chose iroko wood to make the supporting structure for the glazed surfaces.
A type of material that provides us with a fantastic water tightness against inclement weather such as rain or morning dew. In this way, the furniture and the different decorative and landscaping elements are permanently protected.
Design furniture for the outdoor living room
To design the outdoor lounge and dining area, we chose a floor with Azek technological decking on which we placed the pieces from the German firm specialising in luxury outdoor furniture Dedon that compose the two ambiences.
For the living room we chose a comfortable L-shaped sofa and an independent chaise longue from the Mu collection in Volcano finishing, which we decorated with cushions in different colours and patterns manufactured by Molins Design with Chivasso fabrics.
The side table and the two pouffs, with tray and cushion, are a design by Kettal.
Next to the living area we placed one of Dedon’s iconic pieces, the Orbit Loveseat XXL Collection armchair, a comfortable seating in which to enjoy the best views of the city.
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A porcelain planter as a connecting element
As a continuation of the two large spaces in the proposal, the terrace is surrounded by a large planter designed by our team. This planter has turned out to be one of the key elements of the project, as it has meant a great effort of precision in the composition of the cutting of the porcelain pieces. They had to be prepared with a corner cut, in order to precisely solve the finishing of the 90-degree joints.
The correct waterproofing of the planters is a key element when it comes to solving a roof of these characteristics. It must be considered as an independent element of the roof itself, making the waterproofing of the two elements independent. In the same way, the provision of correct drainage at a specific moment of spontaneous accumulation due to rainfall excess also anticipates the prevention of possible pathologies.
The paving chosen for certain areas of this spectacular terrace in Barcelona plays a fundamental role in this outdoor interior design project.
We chose a Floor Gres technical flooring that stands out for the large format pieces that provide visual quality to the space, as well as the non-slip guarantee that a terrace of these characteristics requires, a material that we also used for the design of the perimeter planters.
Technical flooring for the terrace
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A terrace with jacuzzi and solar panels
Now we come to the most whimsical point of the project and the one that in a way justified the renovation proposal. This is the installation of a large Astralpool jacuzzi, which had to be taken into account in the structural calculation of the project, but is undoubtedly the cherry on the cake.
In terms of facilities, and in order to maintain the water temperature at around twenty degrees all year round, the project included the installation of high-performance solar panels.
Through them, a water recirculation system was created and, thanks to a seven-hundred-litre accumulator, it represents a considerable energy saving that increases the energetic qualification of the whole house. All of this makes the house a practically self-sustainable construction, thanks to the surplus that it is capable of supplying at times of maximum performance.
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