Finca as Vacation Architecture
More and more often, we see the term finca used in correlation to a type of Spanish house. In this article, we study the possibilities of the Finca as Vacation Architecture.
This article is part of my architecture research, presented in a friendly way.
You can order the book either as a collectible hardcover artbook or as an instant digital download.
History
Originally, the term was used to describe Spanish estates. More recently, peoples started started heavily using it in the real estate market. Here, the term describes a certain typology of vacation homes usually surrounded by a large plot. Many times, we see this plot as a farm, an olive tree plantation, a fruit orchard or for raising livestock.
Contemporary Adaptation
We notice in some recent examples of fincas some pretty good of adaptive reuse, particularly in the Spanish mainland. For example, a traditional finca might be a main building, rectangular shaped, to which a tall cylindrical volume has been attached. The extra volume was originally used as storage for grains or hay. Nowadays, we can drastically alter the Spanish Finca. Through adaptive reuse, architects transform parts of the finca into extra guesthouses. The result is surprising and unique. You can usually find Fincas at the top of a hill to better observe the entire estate. The tallest part of the finca is the the converted silo. It offers a vast perspective not only over the estate, but over the surroundings as well. The silo offers breathtaking views overlooking the Mediterranean coast.
The Spanish Finca
- Shape: box with tower attached, isolated
- Spatial Typology: chambered/linear, portico
- Spatial Organisation: clustered
- Functionality: multi-purpose housing, vantage point, surveillance, storage
- Location: Spanish mainland, Balearic Islands, hilly regions
- Materials: exposed limestone, ceramic tiles, small to medium windows, pantile roof
If you’re confused about what some of these mean, please read the article on Spatial Typologies and Spatial Organisations.
Key Takeaways
- Figure out what the best vantage point is in your own project. Then enhance it, make it cozy, in order for people to spend a lot of time in it.
- Cover the outer base of a home with locally sourced materials kept bare. This way, it looks like it grew out of the existing environment.
This article is part of a self-published book from The Vacation Architecture Series.
If you’d like, you can order the book either as a collectible hardcover artbook or as an instant digital download.
