Perched on a cliff, 159m above the bright blue Mediterranean on the island of Ibiza, Spain, is AIBS House, designed by the practice of AABE (Atelier d’Architecture Bruno Erpicum + Partners). AIBS House represents the ultimate in a vacation home for those who want to enjoy a high degree of solitude and comfort. In constant dialogue with its environment, the house exhibits an aura of serenity during the calm summer months but adopts a defiant stance during stormy winter weather.
Protection against the climate proved a priority within the design concept, the access steps becoming an indoor staircase which leads to the lower levels and the living area and patio are entirely encircled with glazing. The only outdoor facility of the house is the infinity pool situated at the side of the house. The upper levels are more private spaces with limited glazing through which the outstanding seascape is framed.
When undertaking this project, the architects ensured that the design posed the least possible threat to the site with concrete pillars erected only where absolutely essential to the structural validity of the house. From the sea below, the house is hardly discernible and appears to be a simple contemporary structure which will eventually become part of the land on which it is built.
