Pool House | Roz Barr Architects

Hand crafted using local techniques and materials, this pool house and sculptors studio complements a traditional Spanish farmhouse and is embedded in its landscape.

This pool house sits embedded in the landscape among the Sierra Nevada in southern Spain. Housing a sculptors studio, outdoor kitchen and changing facilities, is a modern expression of the traditional Spanish architecture with a play of levels and materials that enhances the dramatic surrounds.

The design begins with the landscape. Natural stone walls are used as an ordering device around the main house, and create a new route to the pool. The roof of the sculpture studio forms a natural terrace and a ‘cut’ in the land provides access from the roof to the main pool side area. This element of the ‘unexpected’ when approaching from the main house, provides another plateau from which to enjoy the views across the landscape and ensures the studio remains cool through the hot summer. The structure is shuttered concrete with an uninterrupted span floating above the shaded outdoor area, with hard wood brise soleil carefully detailed to weave through the tapered concrete beams. The studio itself opens on two sides to frame views of the Sierra Nevada beyond.

The 15x18m Spanish limestone pool is level with hard and soft landscape edges and is framed by olive trees. The material compliments the new dry stone walls which have been crafted from stones found on the site. The interior of the pool house is polished concrete and traditional tadelakt render.

Designed for a private client, it complements the existing farm house and was completed in 2015.