Terraza
The Valencian studio Viruta Lab has brought a detailed and meticulous project to life in the burgeoning neighborhood of Malilla in Valencia. This new expansion area of the city is gradually shaping an architecture concentrated on vertical landmarks, in contrast to the green plots that still host the traditional field cultivation of its long-standing residents.
In this setting, María Daroz and David Puerta, co-founders of the studio, have transformed an unremarkable terrace into an urban oasis with a Mediterranean essence. Located on the tenth floor of a newly constructed skyscraper, this
terrace reinterprets the Valencian agricultural tradition through the creation of raised beds and planting areas, bringing textures and vegetation that evoke an elevated orchard.
The spatial proposal of this cozy urban garden is inspired by the old selfsustaining vegetable gardens and organic orchards visible from the terrace. This space reinvents the concept of a traditional orchard, decontextualizing the
ground plane with terraces of varying heights that offer an elevated perspective from within the home. The garden beds, attached to the perimeter walls, allow for the cultivation of vegetation and fruit trees while creating level differences that add dynamism and spaciousness to the area. The sense of smell, heightened by the scent of the lemon tree and aromatic plants, combined with the visual sense, creates an illusion of a serene Mediterraneanstyle oasis, elevating the orchard ten floors above this new metropolitan area.
GEOMETRY AND MATERIALIZATION OF THE SPACE
The project is structured around two rectangles of different dimensions and heights. The first area, directly connected to the kitchen and interior dining room, integrates an outdoor kitchen with a bar and stools. The second area,
with triple free height, houses the dining and living areas, creating a space of calm and relaxation.
The initially empty terrace elements have been transformed with artisanal materials such as baked clay and natural soils. An elevated floor on supports with open joints redefines the space, while the perimeter garden beds, with different depths, incorporate vegetation and fixed furniture, drawing a rural aesthetic in the space.
BESPOKE FURNITURE AND DECORATION
The creative team at Viruta Lab designed the furniture in the living area to maximize comfort and minimize maintenance. Benches and tables built with the same system as the raised beds create a coherent language and a sense of unity. These elements are complemented by cushions and backrests in neutralcolored nautical fabric to generate a warm atmosphere. The sand tones, grays and muted greens, made with recycled plastic threads, create a dynamic and
attractive visual play. The dining area, located under a plant-covered pergola, features a central round table with a diameter of 140 cm, with a concrete pyramid base and a porcelain top. The white rod and natural braided rope dining chairs integrate harmoniously with the rest of the décor, following the orchard tones.
LIGHTING PLAY
Due to its orientation, this urban terrace receives limited natural light. To address this, Viruta Lab designed an artificial lighting project that adds drama and enhances details. The hidden lighting in the raised beds creates an upward sweeping effect, highlighting the triple height of the space and the texture of the walls. The lemon tree, an essential element of the plant composition, is spotlighted to intensify its prominence. Functional lighting for the kitchen and
bar includes micro-machined spots, while the Cesta lamp by Miquel Milá adds a timeless and iconic touch to the space.
In this way, Viruta Lab has transformed a sunless terrace into a Mediterranean oasis in the heart of Valencia's skyline. This project not only revitalizes an urban space but also serves as an ode to the Valencian agricultural tradition from a
contemporary and sustainable perspective. The terrace thus becomes a refuge of tranquility and natural beauty, elevating the vast Valencian orchard to new heights in the city's heart.
건축가 Viruta Lab
위치 발렌시아, 스페인
용도 주택
연면적 50 m²
준공 2024
대표건축가 Maria Daroz & David Puerta
아트 디렉션 Viruta Lab
사진작가 Oleh Kardash