Tag: Arquitectural Studio in Costa Blanca

  • Architectural Studio in Alicante: When is it better to carry out a reform?

    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?

    Arquifach, Architectural Studio in Alicante: What is the Best time to do a Renovation?When is it better to carry out a reform?

    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.

  • Alicante Architectural Studio: construction of a pool in chalets or single-family homes with an own plot.

    Alicante Architectural Studio: construction of a pool in chalets or single-family homes with an own plot.

    This week in Arquifach’s blog (Alicante Architectural Studio), will be talk about an issue on which we receive many queries from clients: how to propose the private pools of chalets or single-family homes with a plot of their own.

    Evolution of pools in single-family homes in Costa Blanca

    The quality, the type of construction, the architecture design and the needs program has been changing over the last 50 years. The tourist upturn on the Costa Blanca, and in Spain in general, began in the mid-60s when French or Northern Europe tourists began to discover a Spanish coast without constructions, with a very benign weather, a quiet country, and very cheap prices compared to its purchasing power.

    Normally, villas were built as single-family homes of around 90/100m2 with an unfinished garden, interior plots of between 500m2 and 1000m2 and, of course, without a pool. Instead, the beach was the reason for the tourists to come to the coast. Most of the houses at that time have no pool or were built later.

    From the 80’s, when the owner of the construction of a single-family home included the pool within its initial project. The system of construction of the pools was initially based on concrete walls, formwork, walls with filled concrete block or solid brick. In all cases, pools should have an interior waterproofing and a ceramic tile finish.

    Little by little, the projected gunning or concreting system was imposed. It is made on the basis of projecting the concrete on the walls and the bottom of the pool, prior placement of the reinforcement and part of the installation to be embedded, such as sinks, impellers, spotlights, etc.

    How are pools currently built?

    Alicante Architectural Studio: construction of a pool in chalets or single-family homes with an own plot.

    Currently, it can be said that 100% of the pools are made through this system. Initially, a dry method based on a machine installed “in situ” which is primed by the operators with cement, sand and little water that is added during the gunning process when projected with compressed air. In some cases, other secondary components such as setting accelerators are usually added.

    This mixture is projected little by little, at the speed that two operators add the materials and another one projects the concrete on the walls and bottom of the pool. This system was tedious and slow, and it took up labor for a couple of days.

    This method produces a lot of dust, since the mixture is almost dry and, as it was already said, is very slow.

    In the other system, the wet method, the three ingredients: cement, sand and water are mixed at the same time and the mixture is projected. The more fluid the mixture, the greater its efficiency, and a normal pool of 4m x 8m can be completed in a morning.

    Can a pool be built on all soils?

    The law of the Soil in Spain limits the constructions of swimming pools in some cases like those built in rustic soil. According to its definition, it is a soil categorized as common or protected. However, the regulations governing construction on rural land correspond to municipalities and autonomies. As we have already anticipated, there are restrictions, but it should not be forbidden and we must go to the Town Hall to clarify doubts. In other articles, we have already seen the importance of the urban report in the purchase of a plot.

    Arquifach, Alicante Architectural Studio, helps you to get your own chalet o single-family home with a pool in Costa Blanca

    Contact Arquifach, Alicante architectural Studio, without obligation. We study 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. Arquifach is in charge of finding the plot adapted to the needs of each client, complying with municipal regulations. We take over the entire project: its design, construction, planning, pathology reports, assessments and advice in general.

  • Arquifach, architectural studio in Alicante, advises: legal and tax considerations in the purchase of a second-hand house on the Costa Blanca

    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.

  • Architectural Studio in Alicante: mediterranean style

    Architectural Studio in Alicante: mediterranean style

    Mediterranean lifestyle

    More than twenty countries and three different continents are bordered by the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Thanks to its waters, all these regions share their weather and many geographical characteristics. Also, their customs and ways of life are influenced and unified by its waters in many aspects. This way of living has also influenced the architecture in a very characteristic style known as the Mediterranean style.

    This architectural style adjusts to the way of living of the Mediterranean’s inhabitants, showing different characteristics according to the area being toured. Customs, historical events, and traditions are imprinted on the walls and roofs of homes.

    Fundamentals of Mediterranean architecture

    Despite the diversity of currents on the different geographical areas, a series of characteristics are common to all of them and constitute some fundamentals of the Mediterranean style which are listed below:

    Adaptation to the landscape: This means respecting the environment where the construction is located and integrating to the land as efficiently as possible. Homes must be adjusted to the land regarding their earrings and peculiarities.
    Native raw material: Its environment is so rich that the closest resources are used in both the exterior construction with walls covered with adobe or stones walls and the interior construction with terracotta floors or exposed wooden beams.
    Heat-resistant constructions: White color is one of the greatest allies in Mediterranean constructions because it reflects light and reduce heat inside buildings. Also, special coatings for the isolation of high temperatures are required.
    The exterior is part of the house: sun, light and warm weather make the exterior of the house the perfect place to stay throughout the day. That is why, the terraces, patio and balconies design is an essential part in this type of houses.
    Permanent sunlight: one of the main characteristics of the Mediterranean area is its light and such a characteristic should be included in the design of the rooms.
    Inner and outer nature: The interior design of the houses should have a cove environment where patios and gardens are filled with plants, rustic floors and wooden doors and windows.
    The presence of water: related to the quality of the land and the environment. The preservation of wells and other sources of water in the plot to be constructed on will be common.

    Arquifach, Architectural Studio in Alicante: Contemporary Mediterranean Style

    The Arquifach single-family homes are inspired by the Mediterranean history and tradition which are translated into a minimalist and contemporary style. These are some of the most characteristic examples:

    URB. SAN JAIME DE BENISSA

    Painted in an intense white color, this urban development is conceived as a traditional country house with modern styles. It has a total of 344,90m2 and is built in an idyllic setting where the calm of the Mediterranean Sea can be breathed.
    Urbanización San Jaime Benissa. Architectural Studio in Alicante, Costa Blanca.

    PDA VINYENT (BENISSA)

    The memories of the traditional stone house are preserved in this house but accompanied by contemporary, warm and livable spaces. It has a total of 420m2 and is built in a natural environment that surrounds the house and makes it unique.
    Pda. Vinyent (Benissa). Architectural Studio in Alicante, Costa Blanca.

    URB. LOS PINOS DE CALP

    Teak ceilings and arches along the facades attached to porches and patios decorated with flowers and native plants. A single-family house with a total of 705 constructed meters.
    URBANIZACIÓN LOS PINOS DE CALPE. Architectural Studio in Alicante, Costa Blanca.

    Your Mediterranean home at Costa Blanca, just as you imagine it

    Contact Arquifach, architectural studio in Alicante, without commitment. We study the feasibility of your project and offer advice on the construction of new single-family homes or tourist apartment buildings. It is supported by a Costa Blanca specialized team. Arquifach is in charge of finding the ideal plot to the needs of each client, complying with the municipal regulations. We cover the entire project: its design, construction, planning, pathology reports, assessments and advice in general.

  • Architectural studio Alicante: tips for buying plot or land in Costa Blanca II

    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

    Arquifach, architectural studio in Alicante: tips for buying plot or land in Costa Blanca
    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.

  • Arquifach, architectural studio in Alicante: tips for buying plot or land in Costa Blanca

    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

    Arquifach will assess the feasibility of your project and offer advice on the construction of new single-family homes or tourist apartment buildings

    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.