- Interior
- Architecture & development
Garbí House in Valencia, Spain is a re-interpretation of a typical fisherman's house that has been given a more modern and abstract interpretation. With this project, architect Ramón Esteve takes you into a Mediterranean dream in which the waves of the nearby sea consistently resound in the background.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, fishermen's cottages such as Garbí House were all the rage in this quiet district of Valencia. About a hundred years later, in 2021, the house was reformed by architect Ramón Esteve and his team. The current living area is a whopping 670 square metres. Important in this project was to raise the aesthetics of the house. To achieve this, some typical features of the building were abstracted and reduced to a muted version. This was done with the mouldings, the balustrades and the window frames, among other things. Their picturesque appearance was preserved and at the same time interpreted in a contemporary way. As a result, the exterior of the house charmingly hints at its past, while the interior offers everything that the current resident may want. 
Garbí House plays with light, space and the past.
The interior is characterised by an abundance of light and transparency. By using white wood for the floors, walls and ceilings, Ramón Esteve succeeded in creating a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere that also fits perfectly within the maritime environment. A striking feature is the idyllic inner garden at the height of the stairs, where a vertical garden provides the desired greenery and keeps the house looking fresh at all times. In addition, the brown wooden staircase and the surrounding glass walls are great elements that run through the house like a heartbeat. The light character found here continues in all aspects of Garbí House. The carefully chosen furniture combines with the architecture to form a grounded whole that honours its beautiful surroundings. The obvious presence of wooden materials and the natural palette create an eternal dynamic between the indoor and outdoor spaces. 
Garbí House consists of two detached buildings, including the central living area and a secondary structure. In the middle of these two structures is a beautiful, elongated garden with a sizeable swimming pool, several terraces and a barbecue area. Throughout the pleasant outdoor area, several deciduous trees have been planted, which, on the one hand, provide insulation during the winter months and, on the other, offer the necessary shade in summer. In addition to the garden terrace, the master bedroom also has its own private outdoor space. Since the room is on the top floor, you have a phenomenal view from here over the beach and the adjoining palm trees. A prominent holiday feeling is not only found in this room, but everywhere in the residence. Despite the sober design, a warm feeling prevails here that has a Mediterranean heart.
Garbí House plays with light, space and the past. The former fisherman's house is today an exceptional residence that impresses both inside and out. Anyone who is a fan of Mediterranean houses will undoubtedly agree with the choices made by architect Ramón Esteve. 
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Photography by Mariela Apollonio