The small hotel Castell del Hams was built in 1967. Over the years, the owners have rebuilt it more than once, but the most successful was the latest redesign, which turned the hotel into something more than a regular tourist haven.
It was necessary to overhaul the indoor heated pool, to build an adjacent building for spa treatments, and at the same time to find an architectural image that made the hotel more interesting and attractive for vacationers.
The pool block is incised at an acute angle into the spa parallelepiped. In order to let in as much light of the warm Mediterranean sun as possible, the architects covered both the walls and flat roofs of buildings with square window openings of various sizes, placing them deliberately asymmetrically. Streams of light pour inward, reflecting from the surface of the pool water, playing with reflections on the walls, creating a feeling of harmony and complete detachment from worries for visitors.
The spa roof is covered with gray gravel, while the pool roof is covered with dense green lawn. The scattered windows in the artistic disorder transform the rectangular roof surfaces into an interesting graphic composition. On the flat roof, a total of 34 VELUX skylight windows with transparent dome CFP models (fixed) and 12 CVP windows (opening) were installed. The dome of the windows is made of transparent acrylic, and the flashing waterproofing reliably protects the roof from leaks.
The electric version of the windows was used in the project: Integra-CVP. This means that the windows are equipped with an electric drive for ventilation (opening up to 9 cm) and a rain sensor for automatic closing in case of bad weather. One remote control allows you to program and adjust the opening of multiple windows. Regular airing in the early morning, closing in the midday heat - all this is adjusted and then works fully automatically. To control the illumination inside the window structure, a pleated blind is installed, the movement of which can be controlled with a single button on the remote control.
The abundance of multi-format windows creates in the interior a constant change of reflections on the walls, water surface, and ceiling. The play of glare - "sunbeams" - gives the space dynamics and has a beneficial effect on the mood of visitors.
The small spa area is dedicated to beauty treatments and relaxation. The magnificent views of the surroundings through the panoramic windows on the ground floor contribute to the creation of a relaxing atmosphere. Nature penetrates the interior, and the use of natural wood in the decoration further emphasizes the connection between architecture and landscape. In humid areas where wood is undesirable, ceramic tiles with natural shades and textures are used.
The spa roof is also cut through with Velux zenith windows. Moreover, their location is calculated with pinpoint accuracy - in the center and on the four sides of a round bowl with hydromassage, above each massage table and in the corridor. The natural light directed from above improves the psychological microclimate in the treatment rooms and helps in the conduct of wellness procedures.
This is how the combination of a laconic architectural language - simple shapes, straight lines, restrained color scheme - and "live" sunlight gave a full-fledged aesthetic (and economic) effect.
