Project: Montelongo House
Architecture: Néstor Pérez Batista
Location: Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain
Year: 2024
Photo Credits: Gregor Neschel
Montelongo House, located in the heart of La Oliva, northern Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, exemplifies a beautifully renovated 19th-century house. Once home to a prominent local family, this historical residence now serves as two self-catering units that blend tradition with modernity and avant-garde design. The renovation honors the island’s rich heritage by incorporating local materials like stone, wood, clay, lime, and glass, creating a harmonious blend of old and new.
Design and Architecture
Each unit at Montelongo House maintains a strong connection with the surrounding environment through natural light and minimalist design principles. The design focuses on clean lines and simple aesthetics to foster a sense of calm and tranquility. Spaces flow naturally into the outdoor patio, ensuring a continuous, fluid relationship with the environment. This strategy turns outdoor areas into extensions of the living spaces, enhancing the sense of openness and transparency.
The Sculpture by Óscar Latuag
Óscar Latuag, a multidisciplinary artist from Tenerife, created a remarkable sculpture at Montelongo House that pays tribute to Fuerteventura’s natural heritage. He drew inspiration from the island’s traditional pigments, using elements like cochineal, orchilla, and barilla stone. The abstract shapes within the sculpture evoke the local flora, such as lichen, prickly pear, and penca leaves, rooting the piece in the essence of the island. As sunlight interacts with the sculpture, it casts dynamic shadows on the walls, offering an ever-changing visual experience that mirrors the island’s unique environment.
A Retreat for Contemplation and Reflection
Montelongo House provides a serene escape, ideal for embracing the slow movement and disconnecting from the world. The design team meticulously crafted the lighting, spatial geometry, and thermal comfort to create a living space that feels both intimate and expansive. This setting is perfect for contemplation and reflection. Guests can rent the two units separately or together, enjoying a tranquil retreat where they can immerse themselves in the surreal beauty of Fuerteventura’s landscape.
Thoughtful Amenities
Montelongo House also offers thoughtful amenities, including à la carte and continental breakfast options with fresh pastries, fruits, and juice, delivered each morning at the guest’s preferred time. These details enhance the overall experience, making Montelongo House not just a place to stay but a destination in itself.
