This Costa Brava home is the ultimate getaway

In the hills of Costa Brava sits a home that exists in perfect harmony with its surroundings. It belongs to a Barcelona-based lawyer who decided to build a private retreat, his own patch of paradise to escape his busy working life from time to time. However, fate had other plans. After the pandemic, he realised that his office could be located anywhere, including here, with its gentle climate, wild landscape and sense of peace.

The building is the work of GCA Architects, who had to somehow overcome the challenge of adapting the structure to the terrain in order to keep its visual and environmental impact to a minimum. They found inspiration in the work of renowned Mexican architect Luis Barragán and set out to create a quietly luxurious home that doesn’t impose itself on its surroundings, but rather sits in easy, natural harmony with them.

Antonio Citterio’s ‘Crono’ armchairs for Flexform in one of the ‘outdoor lounges’ surrounding the home

The pool area is shielded by vegetation and furnished with ‘Atlante Wood’ daybeds and an ‘Alcamo’ side table by Antonio Citterio for Flexform

Taking advantage of the sloping topography and sparser tree cover, the house sits in the highest part of the terrain, enjoying breathtaking views over the surrounding plains and lush native vegetation.

The living room is furnished with Antonio Citterio’s ‘Groundpiece’ sofa and ‘Fly’ coffee table, along with the ‘Kobo’ table by Patrick Norguet, all for Flexform

GCA Architects’ design revolves around two main volumes: one where the living room and day areas are located on a single level, and a second two-storey structure that houses the bedrooms. The two are connected through half levels with the main staircase allowing for easy, natural transitions between the spaces. A large roof of Arabic tiles, sloping, like the land itself, covers these volumes, creating a sense of unity.

With generous windows framing the views of the distant horizon, the large dining room is dominated by the ‘Kobo’ table by Patrick Norguet and ‘Vesta’ chairs by Antonio Citterio for Flexform

Covered walkways connect various parts of the home with thoughtfully positioned pieces like these ‘Ottavia’ armchairs by Antonio Citterio for Flexform inviting you to pause for a moment

Traditional, locally-sourced materials have been used throughout, but in a pared back way and in combination with timeless contemporary furniture from Flexform to avoid the risk of appearing rustic.

The bedroom walls are wrapped in earth tones and warm wood, with Antonion Citterio’s ‘Groundpiece’ bed for Flexform as the peaceful centre of this space

Walls of sliding glass in the main living spaces emphasise the close connection between the interiors and the surrounding nature, while small private gardens and generous patios designed as outdoor lounges provide dappled shade to sit and escape the heat of the Mediterranean sun.

Light floods every room, creating a permeable boundary between interior and exterior, while guests can enjoy absolute privacy in the cosy bedrooms which have their own bath and sitting rooms looking onto an inner plant-filled courtyard. In this most generous of homes, ‘being together’ takes on a deeper meaning because it also offers areas for quiet reflection. gcaarchitects.com www.flexform.it