Architecture

Fairmont La Hacienda: exclusivity, sustainability and Mediterranean essence at its best

  • Daar Arquitectura designed this luxury hotel complex on the Costa del Sol, where Andalusian tradition and contemporary design redefine the concept of exclusivity
  • The project is committed to a total connection with the environment, in which the enclosures and carpentry play a key role. To achieve this, four of Grupo Ayuso’s most emblematic solutions have been used

Located in the privileged natural enclave of La Alcaidesa, Cadiz, Fairmont La Hacienda stands as a new benchmark in luxury hospitality on the Costa de La Luz. The renowned Daar Arquitectura studio has been responsible for shaping this large-scale hotel complex, a tribute to the Andalusian identity through an architecture committed to the environment, in which the enclosures of Grupo Ayuso, experts in aluminum, PVC and glass systems, have been of great value.

This exclusive space extends over a privileged terrain, housing a 153-room hotel with all the services of an exclusive resort. Next to it, 47 residential villas offer a total of 158 accommodations designed to provide a unique and personalized experience. In addition, an additional building houses a modern event center, with state-of-the-art meeting and conference facilities and dedicated wellness areas, including a spa, gym, beauty treatments and relaxation spaces.

“In terms of size, this is a major project that has taken more than six years from its first ideas to its completion. A project of this size in a place like Alcaidesa has meant a major challenge in terms of supplies, personnel displacement, team building and meeting deadlines,” explains David González, architect at Daar Arquitectura and project manager.

Mediterranean design and Andalusian essence: connection with the outdoors

The architecture of the new hotel complex is conceived as a sensitive response to the Mediterranean character of the site. The steep slope of the site is not an obstacle, but rather the starting point for a stepped volumetric solution that accompanies the terrain, generating half-buried spaces open to the horizon, illuminated through carefully arranged patios and openings. “These are spaces that transmit warmth, silence and tranquility,” says the architect.

The project claims the value of the transition between indoors and outdoors, so typical of the climate of the Andalusian coast. Through pergolas and wooden lattices, intermediate areas are built to enjoy the light, air and landscape without sacrificing comfort. In these spaces, where architecture does not delimit, but invites and accompanies, the heritage of Andalusian living is recognized. And to achieve this harmonious fusion with the environment, where interior and exterior are effortlessly diluted, the enclosures and carpentry take on an essential role, allowing the architecture to breathe to the rhythm of the landscape and the spaces to flow naturally.

“The use of favorable orientations has been fundamental. To this end, the openings of the buildings have been grouped in a single front, forming large openings overlooking the spectacular landscape of the strait. We have sought minimalist profile carpentry, such as those of Grupo Ayuso, which allow the largest possible glass surface,” says Gonzalez. For this reason, he has counted on the collaboration of Grupo Ayuso, using four of its most emblematic solutions:

Tutta Vista: minimalist style sliding door system, especially for large spaces where the inside-outside connection is maximum. The frame can be completely hidden in the masonry wall and the leaf is reduced to a simple glass corner with a visible thickness of only 10mm.

Euroatria: 100mm perimeter sliding window with thermal bridge break with 34mm NORYL plates in the frame and 25mm in the leaf, plus the option of minimalist crossover with 25mm of view. It can reach a thermal transmittance value of up to UH=1.2 W/m2K, depending on the dimensions and model of glass installed.

Eira 70: a system of 70mm aluminum casement windows and doors with concealed sash and a modern design with straight lines, which allows a large amount of light to enter in proportion to the opening. It offers several options: the option of a frame with a Noryl or CORE resin break and the option of aluminum or PVC glazing bead.

Eira 70 HO Core: 70mm concealed leaf and modern design with straight lines. Section of the exterior face of only 69mm, which allows a large entrance of light in proportion to the opening. The thermal break is made by low density polyurethane resin in the frame, and PVC profile in the leaf.

The carpentry systems have been selected for their high performance in terms of watertightness, permeability and wind resistance, critical factors given the climatic conditions of the area, with frequent rainfall and strong winds. Aesthetically, the large sliding glass panels allow for interior-exterior visual continuity, installed on recessed rails with concealed drainage systems that ensure rapid water drainage and reliable operation even in adverse conditions.

“From the technical assistance in the project phase to the always essential adjustments in the construction phase, the technical and human collaboration capacity of Grupo Ayuso has been fantastic in every way”, emphasizes the project manager.

On the other hand, in this project, vegetation is not conceived as a decorative element, but as another architectural material, deeply integrated into the logic of the design. From the air, it can be seen as a continuous sequence of built nature: green walls, planters, roof gardens and patios that intertwine to extend the natural landscape to the very heart of the building. “Along these lines,” describes the architect, “we have proposed an architecture, and also an urbanism, that does not impose itself on the site, but emerges from it, with natural materials from the environment and techniques from the local construction industry”.

As for the interior design, it has been carefully studied to create a unique sensory experience. The chromatic palette revolves around light tones and soft earth tones, which dialogue with the natural light and reinforce the sense of calm. The surfaces have been treated with silky-finish plastic paints and fine-grained micro-mortars, generating a delicate and tactile character. Both the furniture and the woodwork have been made of oak wood in natural finish, providing coherence, nobility and a visual and physical texture that invites calmness. Its premise is to evoke the essence of the traditional Sandaluza farmhouse.

“We are interested in understanding the essence of local architecture for its ability to adapt to the physical environment, i.e. the climate and the territory, but also to the economic and social environment of the place. We have proposed an architecture and interior design in harmony, which are not imposed on the place but arise from it, with natural materials from the environment and techniques of the local construction industry,” says Gonzalez.

Sustainability without sacrificing comfort             

The hotel complex has been conceived from an integral perspective of environmental sustainability. The design optimizes the opening of openings and the depth of openings, following the principles of Mediterranean architecture to protect the spaces from solar radiation. Taking advantage of the winds of the Campo de Gibraltar, shaded rear patios have been created to promote cross ventilation.

The project also combats the urban heat island effect with landscaped roofs and large green areas in the urbanization. At the construction level, continuous thermal insulation has been applied to facades and roofs, eliminating thermal bridges, and hermetic carpentry with thermal bridge break, such as those of Grupo Ayuso, have been installed. In addition, low-emissivity glass with argon chamber and solar protection minimize thermal losses.

The lighting is regulated by presence detectors, adapting the light intensity according to the occupancy of the spaces. The complex also has a water bottling plant and recycling and composting systems.

To highlight the quality of the materials used, the enclosures of the complex have been certified with the QUALICOAT 3.0 seal. This distinction, awarded by the aluminum industry, guarantees the durability and resistance of the installed enclosures, which include the Tutta Vista and Euroatria series of Grupo Ayuso. This certification ensures that the production processes and finishes meet strict quality, corrosion protection and thermal efficiency standards, contributing to the project’s overall commitment to sustainability.

This approach has led to LEED Gold certification, recognizing the resort’s commitment to responsible and sustainable building practices.

The new Fairmont La Hacienda complex represents an impeccable fusion of luxury, innovation and sustainability. The collaboration with Grupo Ayuso has been key in this project, providing high-end enclosures that not only elevate the architectural design, but also ensure energy efficiency and comfort. This development sets a new standard in the high-end hotel and residential sector, positioning Fairmont La Hacienda, by Daar Arquitectura, as a benchmark for exclusivity and excellence.

Grupo Ayuso (https://grupoayuso.org)