The Blue House, designed by the architects FiveOHFive, is a single-family residence located in La Manzanilla, La Laguna, on the northern side of Tenerife. This dynamic structure harmonizes with its unique setting, offering a northeast rear orientation towards the majestic Anaga mountains and a southwest-facing facade that frames views of the iconic Teide.
The Blue House Technical Information
- Architects1-3: FiveOHFive Design
- Location: La Manzanilla, La Laguna, North Tenerife, Spain
- Area: 280 m2
- Completion Year: 2024
- Photographs: © Flavio Dorta
While the interior showcases materials in their natural form, the facades are adorned with bright, cheerful colors, reflecting the vibrancy of family life and a flourishing vegetable garden.
– Five Oh Five Design Architects
Photographs
Architectural Form and Context
The house’s form, a collection of interlocking cubic volumes, creates a heterogeneous yet cohesive architectural language. Each room is conceived as a distinct entity with varying heights, allowing for generous spatial experiences and large openings. Expansive windows and fully opening double doors blur the boundary between indoor and outdoor spaces, bringing the dramatic landscape into the daily lives of its inhabitants. The thoughtful design ensures that every room captures the essence of its surroundings, with vistas that include the sky, Teide, and Mesa Mota, making the Blue House a true celebration of its environment.
Materiality and Construction
FIVEOHFIVE’s approach to the Blue House’s materiality is rooted in a philosophy of honesty and simplicity. It employs a limited palette of locally sourced, natural materials such as concrete, wood, and concrete blocks. These materials, traditional to the Canary Islands, are used in a modern, unrefined manner that emphasizes their inherent qualities.
The construction features load-bearing walls and exposed concrete slabs, with thermal insulation meticulously applied to enhance energy efficiency. Precast concrete lintels frame doors and doorways, contributing to the design’s structural clarity and aesthetic integrity. The material palette is celebrated in its raw form—concrete ceilings and block walls remain exposed, highlighting their natural texture and finish. Polished concrete floors provide a smooth, durable surface that complements the house’s thermal inertia, while the overall aesthetic is one of minimalism and environmental consciousness. This commitment to raw materiality reduces costs and aligns with sustainable building practices.
A Playful Palette and Vibrant Interiors
While the interior of the Blue House exudes a serene, understated elegance through its natural materials, the exterior tells a different story. The facades are adorned with a bright, cheerful blue, reflecting the vibrancy of family life and the lush surroundings of a flourishing vegetable garden. This colorful approach extends to the shutters, door visors, and even the aluminum windows and doors, all lacquered in the same vibrant hue, creating a cohesive and lively appearance.
Playful elements such as colorful bathroom tiles add a touch of whimsy, balancing the otherwise subdued interior palette. This thoughtful use of color enhances the house’s aesthetic appeal and instills a sense of warmth and welcome. As the house becomes a home, with the addition of furnishings and personal belongings, it will further embody a dynamic and comfortable ambiance, making the Blue House a true masterpiece of vibrant, brutalist architecture.
The Blue House Plans
Image Gallery
About FiveOHFive
Founded in London in 2015 by María León Ferreiro and Eduardo López Solórzano, FiveOHFive takes its name from the London apartment (number 505 of E1 8NJ) where their first project was conceived, symbolizing their ambition to introduce innovative practices into the architectural profession. Known for their personalized designs and close client relationships, FiveOHFive integrates diverse influences, challenges stereotypes, and explores novel problem-solving methods.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Visualization: Marta León @martaleon
- Contractor: NAOMAR SLU
- Building Engineer: Carlos Hernández Pinto
