Interview for Élite Murcia

A few weeks ago we were interviewed by Élite Murcia to talk about "Casa en el Aire", a new project of ours on Bolnuevo Beach, Mazarrón.

How did the project for this home in the Region of Murcia come about?

A couple fell in love with this completely inaccessible plot, with a 17-metre slope and views of Bolnuevo Beach. They knew that building on such a steep plot would be difficult. They contacted Srta. Rottenmeier trusting that we could find a bold solution to deliver a unique home. This project was perfect for us, because we love a challenge. As soon as we saw the plot we fell in love with the project and quickly visualised what the idea had to be: to fly above the terrain to maximise sea views and preserve the plot in its natural state with minimal intervention.

Is the Bolnuevo area ideal for a project of this kind? Why?

The setting is spectacular for its views, both of the sea and the mountains. But the Region of Murcia has countless other incredible spots that allow for dream homes.

Don't go looking for the house when you visit Bolnuevo this summer, because construction has not yet begun. Using the most advanced technology in our project development allows us to create highly realistic designs so that owners know exactly what their home will look like before construction begins.

What kind of investment are we talking about if a Murcian entrepreneur wants a home like this?

The price range for a home of this type is very broad, varying depending on the surface area of the property, the finishes…

The first question we ask the client when they come to the studio is the investment they have planned. Our mission is to find the most suitable materials and elements to deliver the ideal project without exceeding that limit.

Before starting the project, we carry out an economic feasibility study based on the owners' ideas of an ideal home. Before construction begins, however, an exact budget is prepared so a turnkey contract can be issued, avoiding extra costs during the build.

Is now a good time to invest in real estate projects? Why?

To build the home of your dreams, it is always a good time.

The pandemic, which has caused so much harm, has also taught us something wonderful: we now value our homes, our work environment and even the quality of the time we spend in them far more. This has triggered significant activity in construction over the last few months but, above all, it has made us realise that we want quality of life. That, even if it isn't the cheapest plot or the most economical build, we want to live well, in a place we love and in a home that brings us peace and makes us feel good.

With all of this, we hope that the major developers stop offering minimum, cramped homes without terraces or workspaces, and start incorporating design and well-being into every type of construction.

Why do you think they chose Srta. Rottenmeier for this project?

They chose us because we were the right architects to make their dream a reality. We know how to interpret our clients' wishes and share their excitement, walking the fascinating road of construction with them until we see it built.

We believe we have achieved what matters most: that our clients are happy and feel that the design of their new home truly reflects them.

What sets this project apart from others you have done?

Everything and nothing.

It is different in everything, because we deliver fully bespoke projects and no two are alike. Each project adapts to the terrain, the views and the needs of each family or company. Every project must make its users feel it is theirs and that it matches the brief they shared with us on day one, when it was still just a dream.

They are not different at all, since they all share the same essence: design, attention to detail, quality and functionality. In short: being unique.

What kinds of projects does Srta. Rottenmeier usually undertake?

We create singular projects where the differentiating values are design and functionality, and we carry out all kinds of interventions for clients seeking something different, personal and full of charm.

The studio specialises in the design of single-family homes as well as offices and corporate logistics centres.

Right now we are immersed in the construction of the winery that the Murcian company Casa Rojo is building in Ribera del Duero, a spectacular project in an idyllic setting, surrounded by vineyards and between two castles. By the end of next year we hope to enjoy the magnificent wines that Casa Rojo produces in this Designation of Origin.

In 2017 we completed Bodegas Casa Rojo in Murcia, in the Valle de la Raja, a place we strongly recommend visiting. Within the wide range of wines they develop across several Spanish Designations of Origin, several are produced here in the Region of Murcia. They will arrange a wine-tasting visit with food pairing so you can taste them and discover why they have been awarded best winery in Spain open to tourism for two consecutive years.

Is the construction of this kind of home growing in the Region of Murcia?

Murcia is a paradise and we have a wonderful treasure: gastronomic, cultural, oenological… We are gaining more visibility, but we still have a way to go to become a leading destination like Barcelona, Copenhagen, London or Manhattan, where design is in every corner.

Murcians value design and want to stand out for it. We have excellent designers and companies focused on every field: fashion, painting, furniture…

User taste will continue to develop. Walking into a fashion store with great décor, or being educated in a school or institute that is beautiful, makes us start to need it in our day-to-day life. Social media and apps such as Pinterest have brought what is happening in any corner of the world within reach of anyone, and now it is much easier for someone to come to the studio saying they have seen a beautiful house in Santorini and want one of that kind.

Can we know who the house belongs to? What is the owner profile?

We like to be very discreet about our clients, but we can say that they are a young couple who will use this home as their main residence. The profile of clients commissioning this kind of construction is one that knows how to differentiate and value design. They are usually also people who have travelled and seen the kind of architecture being built in places not far from here, like Calpe, Altea or Ibiza, where the location, the views and the mountains are deeply respected. The construction is built to enhance the setting, to complete it.

But perhaps the most important common factor is that they trust the team behind them, giving us freedom to imagine, design and create — and that makes us feel very comfortable and give 200% to the project.

Is the interior design also yours? What can you tell us about it?

Of course, our studio specialises in both exterior architecture and interior design. We believe a project is complete when it is approached as a whole. For us, the interior is just as important as the exterior — if not more. These homes usually have large windows that connect interior and exterior, so the continuity of space is essential.

Thinking about the materials of the finishes, how a space will be lit, or whether it will feature natural greenery, is something we care about and consider essential when shaping a project.

For a house to become a home, it has to be comfortable, and we achieve this by using noble materials such as wood, concrete, ceramics and natural stone — materials that have been used over the years and that, combined with our climate and natural light, allow us to create warm, welcoming atmospheres. Talking about architecture is always a pleasure, so here is the full interview by clicking the following link: View interview. Discover more Srta. Rottenmeier projects here