300 Year Old Country House Adapted To A Modern Style
Transforming an old house into a modern space in a long and complex process, often more difficult and demanding than building the home from scratch. The most complicated part is achieving the balance between old and new.
In the case of this 300 year old property, the challenge was accepted by Francis Dimmers and architect Angela Molina. Its renovation was completed in 2010. the house is located in Ibiza, Spain. The property covers an area of 392 square meters (4,220 square feet) on a 25,000 square meter (269,000 square feet) plot.
The project’s name was Modern Finca Can Basso. An important consideration was to preserve the property’s original spirit and character and at the same time to adapt it to modern needs and a modern lifestyle.
This charming house overlooks Morna Valley and offers stunning views. In addition, it’s surrounded by a lovely garden filled with native fruit trees which offer it privacy, shelter and a fresh ambiance. The entire project is characterized by simplicity and great attention to detail as well as a design based on the desire to preserve and to adapt.
Various big changes can be observed right from the start. The roof of the house was rebuilt and the former stables present on the property became living quarters after being renovated and converted. A set of exterior stairs made of stone form a pathway through the garden, leading to the entrance.
Upon entering the house, it becomes apparent that the marriage between traditional and modern is a very harmonious but also very striking one. The overall simplicity of the interior design is a modern characteristic. On the other hand, features such as stone-covered walls, imperfect surfaces and the presence of exposed wood beams reveal the traditional side of the project.
Many of the interior walls are new, simple and smooth. Other modern additions include the skylights, the existence of an open kitchen and, obviously, most of the furniture used throughout the house. They are used in combination with vintage accents such as the sinks and tubs in the bathrooms, some of the lamps and accent chairs.
The materials chosen also follow the same guidelines, including juniper trunks which were used for the ceiling beams and natural stone for some of the walls. They complement simpler and more modern elements found mostly in spaces such as the kitchen or the living room.
The house has five double bedrooms and a single one, each with their own bathroom. Two of the bedrooms are housed in a separate building which used to be the stables. They have stone walls, wood ceiling beams and an overall rustic but very simple interior.
The rest are in the main building and feature simpler and more modern interiors. However, their en-suite bathrooms are characterized by natural stone walls and vintage fixtures.
The living room shares the floor space with a semi-open kitchen. The contrast between modern and traditional elements is very obvious here. The sitting area is a minimalistic space with black and white details and simple, smooth lines and textures.
The kitchen adds a touch of rustic with its accent walls, ceiling beams and storage cabinet. Both the kitchen and the living area have direct access to the front terrace and the outdoor swimming pool.
The house also has a separate dining room. Once again, a combination of contrasting styles was used here. The textures, colors and materials are mixed, resulting in a harmonious and unique combination of styles.
This successful combination of extremes defines all the rooms inside the house as well as the outdoor areas. The swimming pool resembles a natural pond thanks to its green surroundings. The clean lines, however, give it a modern flair.
In addition to all these interesting characteristics, the house also impresses with its energy-efficient character. A rain water collection system contributes to that together with the cross ventilation which cools the house and the thick walls (characteristic for traditional homes) which isolate the house and reduce power consumption overall.