Category: News

Destinations to retire: architecture studio in Alicante

It has often been said that the Mediterranean coast has something special, maybe that’s why it is the destination chosen among many retirees. Many of them come from northern European countries. This week in our blog we will analyze the reasons why many people choose the Mediterranean Coast and specifically the Costa Blanca as destinations to retire.

What are they look for in their ideal destination?

The weather: decisive to choose between destinations to retire

It is known to all that climate has an effect on people, both physically and psychologically. There are studies that show the negative effect that can have on our health some weather phenomena such as rain or heat stroke.

How is the climate of the Mediterranean Coast?

Rainfall is not frequent, and winters have mild temperatures. The average temperature is 20 degrees Celsius. More specifically on the Costa Blanca, temperatures are mild throughout the year. Sun lovers are in luck since it has an average of 320 sunny days per year. The rains are scarce, for that reason it’s said that it’s the best climates of all the Mediterranean Coast. It may be because of its magnificent climate and quiet villages, that Mediterranean coast is the destination chosen by many retirees from the countries of northern Europe, mainly Germany and the Netherlands.

Entertainment

It is said that Spaniards have a more relaxed lifestyle, and it may be true if we ignore the vortex of the big cities. It’s about the combination of relaxation and a great entertainment offer. That offer is a mixture of its innumerable sites of cultural interest and its different shows (theater, dance, concerts …). For many of the Europeans who already enjoy the Costa Blanca as a destination for retirement, the biggest attraction in Spain is its friendly and relaxed lifestyle. Spaniards are very social people who like to share time in bars and squares.

Gastronomy

One of the reasons to choose Spain as a destination to retire is its gastronomy. Because Spain is a country to savor. Each zone has its own typical dishes enriched with local products. Wine and olive oil are our hallmarks. Traditional cuisine and signature cuisine are compatible and accessible. All made with products from the land.

Quality of healthcare

The Spanish health system is in the top ten worldwide according to a report published in the magazine The Lancet in 2017 where the health of more than 125 countries was analyzed. One of the advantages of being European is having the right to enjoy Spanish public health (we will explain in what conditions in future posts). The well-known training and quality treatment offered by Spanish public health professionals is well known.

Countries selected as best destinations to retire

It was the International Living magazine that placed Spain as the 7 best country to retire. Among his reasons he cited kilometers of beach and weather. Not only that, Spain is appreciated for its roots and cultural interests.

Alicante architecture studio: Arquifach, takes care of your project

Contact Arquifach, architecture studio Alicante , without obligation. If you are thinking of retiring on the Costa Blanca, you have comprehensive services in the construction of new single-family homes or tourist apartment buildings. It has the support of a specialized team on the Costa Blanca. Arquifach covers the entire project, from design, construction, planning, pathology reports, assessments and general advice.

28 November, 2018
Architectural Studio in Alicante: When is it better to carry out a reform?

It is very normal that during the life of a chalet or when buying a second-hand chalet, there is a need to carry out interior renovation works that include the change of finishing materials and facilities. There are also cases in which it is necessary to carry out extension works because the construction is not completely adapted to our needs. When is it better to carry out a reform?

Reasons for a renovation

There are many reasons and they are usually related to changes in the needs of its inhabitants. It may be that the family has grown, it may be that you want to install an elevator since with the passage of time its inhabitants are aging. It is normal that the reason can be merely aesthetic because, for example, the owner does not like the decoration, tiles and pavements any longer.

When is it better to carry out a reform? What is the ideal season to carry out a renovation?

To make an ideal choice of which season is better to do renovations in a house, we must start with the type of work we are going to do.

Extension work in single-family homes or villas in Costa Blanca

In this case, two types of extensions should be distinguished. If the work is a lateral extension, that is to say on one side of the currently existing construction or it is an extension from above, that is, extending a floor or extending the current upper floor.

In both cases, the works must be carried out in the dry season, preventing the rain from damaging the new construction and also the existing one.

In the case of a lateral extension, the interior of the current home would not be affected by the work, except for a little noise and dust disturbance; but it can be a big problem to open the foundations of the new extension next to the current house.

If it rains during the process in which the foundation is being open, it is very possible that later on we will have problems of fissures or cracks due to settlement. This situation can occur regardless of whether we have left a constructive joint between the two parts of the construction, or on the contrary we have adopted a system of tying the two constructions, in foundation and structure, so that in theory they were one.

If the land where the house is located is clayey, like most of the buildings in the area of Alicante, and it rains, the support of the new foundation will be softer than the old one, which will lead to differential settlements between the two parts of the construction.

In the case of extending the upper part, it is also necessary to do it during the dry season, because this type of extension requires lifting the roof or the upper terrace to make the extension, and also to leave a gap for the staircase that communicates the two floors.

It will not be a problem of settlement, like the previous one, but an intense rain such as those that fall down in Costa Blanca will saturate all partitions and furniture if the necessary measures are not taken.

Interior renovations of single-family homes or chalets in Costa Blanca

If the intended works are interior renovations, such as change of pavement, painting, change of kitchen furniture or change of the bathrooms, the time of the year chosen to do this type of work is unimportant.

Perhaps, due to the strong temperatures of the summer period, it would be convenient to avoid doing works at that time. But, for the rest of the year, it is not very important when the work is done.

However, be it an extension work or an internal renovation, it must be borne in mind that most of the town halls have very specific ordinances that limit the works that can be done in summer, the type of machinery that cannot be used due to the noise, discomfort and dust problems that can be caused to neighbors.

Arquifach, architectural studio in Alicante, is takes charge of the renovation of your villa in Costa Blanca.

Contact Arquifach, Alicante architectural studio, without commitment. We study the feasibility of your project and provide advice on the renovation of new single-family homes or tourist apartment buildings. We are supported by a specialized team in Costa Blanca. Arquifach takes charge of the whole project: its design, construction, planning, pathology reports, assessments and advise in general.

6 September, 2018
Architecture Alicante: Casa Carbonell

Discover Costa Blanca through Arquifach, architectural studio Alicante

Costa Blanca is a land rich in culture that holds many architectural gems to discover. In the blog of Arquifach, architectural studio in Alicante, we will visit some of its architectural treasures, monuments and most characteristic buildings.

Alicante and Costa Blanca, architectural richness: Casa Carbonell

Casa Carbonell is an emblematic building in Alicante, located at number 2 of the Spain Promenade that occupies a complete block. It was built by J. Vidal Ramos during the 1920s at the request of the bourgeois Enrique Carbonell, a fabric manufacturer. This building represents the aspirations of the bourgeoisie of the time: ornamented facade and use of noble materials with privileged views.

Although currently it is filled with commercial premises, offices and homes; it was a building devoted to the textile manufacture that represented the bourgeois aspirations and the enrichment of the textile industry during the First World War.

Its facade is divided into three parts separated by the towers and is based on the concept of symmetry and hierarchy. Its French-style ornamentation is full of classic elements. It highlights the use of noble materials such as sandstone in the base, marble in the foyer, iron and glass in locks and canopies, or the simulated cover slate.

Currently, this building is still one of the most emblematic in Alicante and is the protagonist of a large number of tourist postcards in the city.

Alicante and Costa Blanca: living standards

Due to its cultural wealth and paradisiacal essence, Alicante is one of the most chosen destinations to live or build a holiday home. It is a city that has managed to preserve its beauty and its living standards despite tourism and modern life. Alicante has a multitude of corners, villages and cozy towns where to design custom-made homes where to take root and increase living standards. With an unbeatable climate of sun 300 days a year, we can find coves, beaches and natural landscapes that can be the dreamed environment where building a new home.

Arquifach, architectural studio in Alicante, helps you design your home in Alicante

The professional team of Arquifach – architectural studio in Costa Blanca, has more than 40 years of experience in the construction, architectural and urban planning sectors and is led by architect Manuel Cabrera. Arquifach offers a 360-day service, specialized in different architectural fields, such as: design, construction, planning, pathology reports, assessments and general advice.

Arquifach, architectural studio in Alicante, accompanies its clients throughout the construction process, from start to finish. The mission of our Architectural Studio is to make the project an easy process that leads to total customer satisfaction. Arquifach architectural studio has a network of suppliers and partners to manage all projects with professionalism and efficiency.

Contact Arquifach, architectural studio in Alicante without commitment. We study the feasibility of your project and provide advice on the construction of new single-family homes or tourist apartment buildings. We are supported by a specialized team in Costa Blanca.

*Notes:

Photos by: Sarah Mooring (https://www.flickr.com/photos/madcatwoman/ Photo of Casa Carbonell’s facade)

References: http://www.alicanteturismo.com/casa-carbonell-alicante/

http://www.viajes.net/europa/espa%C3%B1a/alicante/arquitectura/casacarbonell

13 August, 2018
Arquifach, architectural studio in Alicante, advises: legal and tax considerations in the purchase of a second-hand house on the Costa Blanca
There is a wide range of plots and land to build a villa on the Costa Blanca. But it is also possible to buy a second-hand plot that meets our needs. It is necessary to think that most of the plots with the best views, position and accesses are already built and occupied by chalets that in most cases are more than 25 years old. This type of plots allows us to demolish the existing building to make a new or comprehensive reform to modernize the home and adapt it to our needs.

There are several aspects to be taken into account when making a decision to buy a second-hand construction:
1. The legal aspect: regarding the possible encumbrances and easements the property might have, such as the ownership of the property.
2. The urban aspect: it means that there is no open file in the town hall against that property and other points to consider related to the urban planning.
3. The tax aspect must be controlled: all the receipts of the IBI (Real State Tax) are paid, who is the owner in the cadaster, as well as other data referring to surfaces and boundaries.
4. Finally, the construction aspect is important, since the state of the house must be known at least for the purposes of foundation, structure and rainwater problems. It would be convenient to clarify other aspects related to the state of the construction to be purchased. In addition, currently all homes for sale on the market must legally have and submit the Energy Performance Certificate to be able to write a deed on them.
The importance of documentation

Normally, a second-hand property is bought through a real estate agency or an intermediary. In general, they have prepared a series of documents regarding the house conditions. Otherwise you must provide them before proceeding to make any firm contract.

On the one hand, you have to request a simple note from the Land Registry to know the state of charges of the property. When the deed is signed, this information from the Land Registry must be electronically requested by the Notary and updated on the same day that the deed is signed so as not to have any last-minute surprises. Let’s suppose that at the beginning of the negotiations the seller’s representative brings a briefing note of the record where there is no charge on that property. If the negotiation lasts a few months, the seller could theoretically put a mortgage on the property, creating a burden on said property. If the aforementioned is carried out, this danger will no longer exist since the information obtained is from the same day that the deed of purchase-sale is signed.

Therefore, the submission of the briefing note of Land Registry by the seller is a starting point that informs us about the situation at that moment of the beginning of the talks. It should be said that the Land Registry is public and that anyone can go to the corresponding offices existing in the town, or near it, where the property for we are interested in is located and request a briefing note alleging interest in the subject, for example: a possible purchase.

Regarding ownership, there are cases in which the seller is the owner of a private purchase-sale contract, but the registered owner is another. It may also be the case that the seller does so with a power from the registered owner. It would be convenient to verify that this private contract or the power of sale are in force. It is also much better for the real owner is part of the signing of the initial private contract, since at the time of signing the deed, the Notary must make all the necessary verifications to be certain that the one signing as a seller can do it.

It must be verified that the home surfaces detailed in the deed, and therefore in the Land Registry, correspond to reality. It is normal that the owner of a villa has made extensions over the years and has not declared them, which may have tax implications at the time of fixing the price of the construction because it is not the original of the statement of New Work as of the value in the IBI since less square meters are being paid.

Arquifach, architectural studio in Alicante, advises you on the purchase of your home

Contact Arquifach, architectural studio in Alicante, without commitment. It has comprehensive services in the reform of second-hand homes and the support of a specialized team on the Costa Blanca. Arquifach covers the entire project: its design, construction, planning, pathology reports, assessments and general advice.
29 June, 2018
Architectural studio Alicante: tips for buying plot or land in Costa Blanca II
As we have already mention in other articles, the choice of a plot has always been crucial in the construction project. Arquifach, architectural studio in Alicante, has been in charge of study of the best land to build single-family homes for more than 40 years.

The importance of the Town Hall Urban Planning Report; Arquifach, Achitectural studio in Alicante, helps you

As mentioned in other articles about the purchase of the plot, it is important to first ensure that the land to be purchased is developable to avoid obstacles when undertaking the project. To ensure that the type of soil is correct, it is essential to thoroughly study the Town Hall Urban Planning Report to know if that plot is developable. Among the data included in the report are the current planning (type of soil, area, type of construction, uses, etc.), the cadastral identification of the plot, the boundaries (if the boundaries are correct), the summary of the particular by-laws of the construction and the use of urban soil applied in that specific case.
From this Urban Planning Report, we will be able to know if it is possible to build on this plot, how many m2 can be built and how can it be built and we can determine as follows:
1. Maximum buildability: is the maximum area that can be built on a plot and is expressed by the fraction: m2 of construction/m2 of plot. This value oscillates around 0.30m2/m2, that is to say it can be built around a third of the surface of the plot at most.
2. Maximum number of floors: it always refers above ground, that is to say on the natural level of the ground and usually they are normally two floors. Important to differentiate it from basements and semi-basements.
3. Maximum height: it is usually measured from the floor to the bottom of the last floor that is under the eaves; in other cases, up to the top of the eaves. For two floors, the figure varies between 6m and 7m.
4. Setbacks to streets and boundaries of neighbors: the setback is the location of a building or part of it behind a line drawn at a certain distance from a street or other part of the building. On the other hand, border of neighbors is the line that marks the boundaries of a land and separates it from others. The distance to which the construction should be compared to the boundaries of other neighbors may be different from the setback to the street. It may vary between 4m, 5m or the height of the construction.
5. Maximum plot occupation, refers to the percentage of the plot occupied by the construction, for this the area occupied by the ground floor must be considered. It usually oscillates in a 25%, that is to say the construction cannot occupy more than a quarter of the surface of the plot, the rest must be for garden, parking, etc.
Arquifach, architectural studio in Alicante: advice on the purchase of the plot

Arquifach, architectural studio in Costa Blanca, requests and interprets the urban planning report
It is important to relate and interpret all the information gathered in the urban planning report and also request additional information that is not usually included in the standard requests. As a general rule, they are not related provided that some concepts are specifically requested, such as how the porches and the basement and semi-basement floors are calculated or how the plot can be transformed as far as land movements are concerned (clearing and filling), for perform their development.

Contact Arquifach, architectural studio Alicante, without commitment. We will assess the feasibility of your project and offer advice on the construction of new single-family homes or tourist apartment buildings. It has the support of a specialized team in Costa Blanca.
7 June, 2018
Arquifach, architectural studio in Alicante: tips for buying plot or land in Costa Blanca

The choice of a plot has always been crucial in the construction project. Arquifach, architectural studio in Costa Blanca, has been in charge of study of the best land to build single-family homes for more than 40 years.
Some of our clients have wanted to start the construction of a detached house in plots bought before contacting Arquifach, having to inform them that it was not possible to build on that plot.
To avoid these situations, Arquifach architectural studio in Alicante, provides a series of recommendations to not have surprises in this first step for the construction of a villa: The purchase of the plot.
It is necessary to consider different aspects before taking the definitive step of buying the land, such as the urban, the physical, and the legal aspects.

Purchasing a plot: urban aspects

From the urban planning standpoint, it could be said that there are 4 types of soil, which as a general rule are defined in the General Urban Planning Plans of each Municipality:

a.- Reserved Soil, which corresponds to public facilities (town hall, schools, health center, etc.) and which are reserved for buildings dedicated to the public service.

b.- Urban Soil, which is the one that has the necessary infrastructures to be able to build and is included in the urban planning of each municipality and, as its name suggests, it is a soil that has the necessary urban services, or its surface is included in urban areas.

c.- Developable Soil, is the future reserve of urban soil, does not have the developed infrastructures, and as long as they have not been approved and developed (and therefore becomes urban land) the construction in that type of soil is prohibited.

d.- Non-Developable Soil, which is the terrain colloquially called rustic soil; It has different qualifications, from special protection non-developable soil to common non-developable soil. In the latter case, a single-family home could be built with a series of limitations.

In summary, the Urban Soil is where the plots that can be developed are mainly located. Specifically, for the case of the construction of villas, in sub-areas classified as: VU (single-family house, or AIS (isolated building), or Consolidated Urban Soil, etc. Each municipal term, and even within each term, there are different specific regulations so there is no global norm or unified criteria for the entire area of the province of Alicante.

Purchasing a plot: urban planning report

To be sure of the type of land that we offer to buy, the best practice is to ask the seller for a Town Hall Urban Planning Report where the plot is located, reflecting, among other sections, the following:
1. Current Urban Planning: Type of land (urban, developable, reserved or non-developable), area, type of building, uses, etc. Cadastral identification of the plot.
2. Boundaries. If the separation line to the street or current public road is correct or some area of the plot must be yielded to expand the public road.
3. Summary of the particular by-laws of the construction and of the urban land uses applied to that particular case.
From this Urban Planning Report, we will be able to know if it is possible to build on this plot, how many m2 can be built and how can it be built.

Arquifach, architectural studio in Alicante: advice on the purchase of the plot

It is important to have the best advisors to avoid that the investment falls on deaf ears or lose opportunities due to time or indecision due to lack of information. Arquifach, architectural studio in Costa Blanca, provides you with a highly-qualified team of professionals to accompany you from the beginning of projects. Your vacation home will have a network of advisors that will guarantee your 100% satisfaction. Count on Arquifach to ensure that the purchase of the plot is a simple process and does not suppose a headache.

Contact Arquifach, architectural studio in Alicante, without commitment. We will assess the feasibility of your project and offer advice on the construction of new single-family homes or tourist apartment buildings. It has the support of a specialized team in Costa Blanca.

22 May, 2018