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.

Order the book here.

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 latter originally used as storage for grains or hay. For vacation architecture, a finca may be adapted, transforming the storage unit into a guest house. The result is surprising and unique. Fincas are usually positioned at top of a hill to better observe the entire estate. The tallest part of the finca, the converted silo, offers a vast perspective not only over the estate, but over the surroundings as well, many times even overlooking the Mediterranean coast.

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.