Episode Information Malaga: The Modernist Mansion

Date Published:

12/06/2008

The Project

Gil Briffa, an architect, and his wife Hilary, from St Albans, Herts, wanted a house they could retire to in southern Spain, but not just any old place would do.

High in the Andalucian hills, 30 minutes form Malaga on Spain's Costa de Sol, the Briffa's heart's desire was a ruthlessly modernist construction of glass and light, far removed from the whitewashed fincas (farmhouses) that dot the local countryside.

Budget And Build

The Cost

Cost of land £35,000
Budget for build £250,000 (including £25,000 [45,000 euros] on glass)
Actual spend £300,000

Having found the perfect eight-acre site, above a valley with stunning views, the Briffa's knew that they wanted a south-facing, open-plan house that also provided privacy, drama and excitement with a sense of theatre.

The task of turning this demanding vision into reality was handed to their son, Matt, who is a partner in the family's architectural practice.

Modernist Plan

Rising to the challenge, Matt's modernist plan included three distinct yet interlinked living areas: a 'glass box' central area housing the sitting room and kitchen, private east wing for his parents, featuring the master bedroom, study, bathroom, dressing room and private terrace, and a guest wing in the west with two-double bedroom suites.

Atop the whole building would-be a terrace running the width of the building, and, downstairs, a heated swimming pool.

Matt's parents loved it, sadly not a sentiment shared by the local builder employed by the Briffas, Paco Martinez, who felt the couple's idea, frankly 'mad', an opinion he would change radically in time.

Undeterred by the builder's protestations, the modernist build commenced as Gil and Hilary intended with the overseeing of a Spanish architect, who must be employed to apply for planning permission, supervise works and, ultimately, sign off the building in Spain.

Ambitious task

Setting a one-year construction time, a huge challenge to the Briffa's ambition to build a house around the central glass box was the local weather that reaches 35 degrees Celsius in the summer.

Get it wrong and, as Kevin says, it would be the biggest sauna in Malaga.

The solution, tested by Gil, was to build a pergola and, essentially, an overhang to the concrete roof that would provide shade all day long, ensuring the interior would never become too hot. In time Gil's calculations would prove to be spot on.

Eleventh hour

Similarly, Matt's design went to plan in all areas but for the external staircase to the roof terrace, a problem that was quickly overcome by Paco commissioning a spiral steel structure to everyone's satisfaction.

The only other problem to be solved was when Gil decided at the 12th hour that the swimming pool should be heated, a decision that meant foundations for an engine room would have to be dug in record time as the additional concrete was to be delivered the next morning.

They made it, finishing the job as the concrete was being poured!

Colour Debate

The practical issues overcome, the next far more demanding concern was to win the battle for the hearts and minds of the locals. In a traditional part of Spain, where the locals are conservative by nature, the Briffa's modernist edifice had caused quite a reaction; a stir compounded by their plan to deviate from painting the house's exterior white, in keeping with all other buildings in rural Andalucia, to ochre, aqua-marine blue and mint.

Success

The debate became heated, the mayor got involved, but Gil was resolute and the building remains white...blue, ochre and mint.

The last hurdle overcome, the effect is one Gil and Hilary envisaged and their son, Matt, and builder, Paco, helped them to realise. Kevin, for one, is transfixed by what has been achieved. On first sight his reaction was 'wow, this is extraordinary, I feel like I've died and gone to heaven.'

How Green?

A local law recently passed in southern Spain stipulates that the exteriors of all newly built properties have to be painted white to be in keeping with local buildings and local traditions.

Gil and Hilary deviated from this norm, but within reason and crucially with the approval of the area's mayor!