Casa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos

Casa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - CoastCasa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - CoastCasa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - Windows, FacadeCasa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - Windows, CoastCasa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - More Images+ 45

Text description provided by the architects. The project seeks to develop a fresh and novel concept for a private single-family residence in the context of a major public beach on the urban edge of San Juan. Altering this neighborhood’s traditional relationship with the ocean - one of virtual negation, the design reverts this tendency by celebrating the views to the sea and making it the focus of the important living spaces.

Casa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - Image 6 of 50
© José Fernando Vázquez Pérez

The initial concern - public vs. private = site vs. program - led to reconsider the typical site relationship by elevating the living spaces on two (2) levels above the ground and establishing a new ‘horizon’ with the clear intention of buffering – yet integrating - the intensely frequented beach. At the same time, this (3m) rise safeguards from a possible hurricane/storm surge - approximately every decade.

Casa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - Windows, Facade, Courtyard
© José Fernando Vázquez Pérez

A simple, direct design scheme follows a coherent programmatic allocation of the habitable spaces - living and resting areas focusing on the ocean, service and less hierarchical spaces on the opposite side, with circulation in the center. This straightforward arrangement is further formulated into distinctive horizontal ‘layers’, from North to South:

Casa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - Windows, Lighting, Table
© José Fernando Vázquez Pérez

* beach perimeter wall with sliding gate (privacy or transparency).

Casa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - Coast
© José Fernando Vázquez Pérez

* garden with seven (7) large palm trees (existing at the site).

Casa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - Windows, Facade
© José Fernando Vázquez Pérez

* linear swimming/lap pool

Casa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - Facade, Windows, Courtyard
© José Fernando Vázquez Pérez

* (upcoming) bi-folding louvered ‘screen’, allowing degrees of privacy

Casa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - Bed, Bedroom, Beam
© José Fernando Vázquez Pérez

* sliding glass doors (with roll-up curtains)

Casa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - Glass, Concrete
© José Fernando Vázquez Pérez

* main active and resting spaces (living, dining, family and bedrooms)

Casa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - Sofa, Table, Lighting, Chair
© José Fernando Vázquez Pérez

* circulation ‘strip’ - stair, landings, corridors and clerestory/slit roof

Casa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - Image 21 of 50
© José Fernando Vázquez Pérez

* board-formed exposed concrete wall (from basement to roof)

Casa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - Image 29 of 50
© José Fernando Vázquez Pérez

* service spaces (kitchen, laundry, baths, closets, guest rooms, etc.)

Casa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - Bathtub, Bathroom
© José Fernando Vázquez Pérez

* ‘brise-soleil’ (deep overhangs, long vertical fins and small apertures)

Casa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - Lighting, Chair, Windows, Bedroom
© José Fernando Vázquez Pérez

* Six (6) trees at planting strip adjacent to property line

plan

* South perimeter wall (vertical grooves permit ventilation to neighbor)

Casa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - Image 28 of 50
© José Fernando Vázquez Pérez

Vertically, the house is divided into occupancy zones:

diagram

* Basement – pump room, storage, gym and .

Casa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - Table
© José Fernando Vázquez Pérez

* Ground – terrace for informal activity & pool, entrance and parking

Casa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - Shelving, Stairs, Chair, Handrail
© José Fernando Vázquez Pérez

* Second level – living, dining, family, kitchen, laundry, guest room

Casa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - Stairs, Handrail, Column
© José Fernando Vázquez Pérez

* Third level – bedrooms, , study, bathrooms, closets

Casa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - Shelving, Bedroom
© José Fernando Vázquez Pérez

* Roof level – wood deck (North), mechanical/solar equipment (South)

Casa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - Deck, Handrail
© José Fernando Vázquez Pérez

All levels are physically interconnected by the linear stair and an elevator. Visually, they are integrated by two (2) double height spaces (permit diagonal views to the ocean and pool) and the central core. This core or ‘inner spine’ is unified by the board-formed concrete wall (from basement to roof), articulated with three (3) flights of the wood/glass stair (+ steel beam) and culminated on the East, West and roof with skylights and indirect natural light slits. On the West façade and part of the roof, above the entrance vestibule, this circulation ‘strip’ is further expressed with a sculpted, cast-in-place, terracotta-tinted, concrete wall – textured/rough exterior and smooth interior.

Casa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - Image 27 of 50
© José Fernando Vázquez Pérez

Addressing sustainability, the house features a linear photovoltaic-paneled pergola generating energy for most domestic consumption (except air conditioning) as well as providing shade and protection for the a/c compressors. Hot water is supplied by a vaccum tube solar heater. Rainwater is retained and stored in a ground-level cistern, supplying water for landscaping and hose bibs, as well as replenishing pool evaporation.

Casa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos - Image 25 of 50
© José Fernando Vázquez Pérez

Project gallery

See allShow less
About this office
Cite: "Casa Mar / Coleman-Davis Pagan Arquitectos" 09 Feb 2012. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/205702/casa-mar-coleman-davis-pagan-arquitectos> ISSN 0719-8884

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.