The architectural studio Mano de Santo and KMZero, Open Innovation Hub, part of Martinez Group, chose Guardian Glass when designing Punta de Mar, the first floating, dynamic and advanced accommodation in Spain. This innovative project, promoted by startup Punta de Mar, aims to take the concept of experiential tourism to another level, of which the first prototype is already placed at the Club Náutico in Denia on the Mediterranean Sea.
Punta de Mar is a floating platform with a careful, minimalistic architectural design, that is both functional and respectful to the environment. By helping to foster an all-senses experience of its surroundings, the project’s goal is an integration with the natural environment, together with intimacy, comfort, relaxation and a sense of well-being for the guests. This is possible thanks in part to the enveloping glass provided by Guardian Glass, one of the strategic allies on the project, who has facilitated and opted for supply of glass and granted technical support in relation to glass applications for this new pioneering business project located on the Mediterranean coast and which is already the talk of the town.
© Mano de Santo
“We chose Guardian Glass for this project,” says Frances de Paula García, architect from Mano de Santo, “because the company offers the most efficient glass. Bearing in mind the characteristics of this project, where it was necessary to resolve extreme demands, we looked for excellence. Another important aspect is that we have been able to count on their technical support.”
The floating structure used triple glazed Guardian glass that provides superior energy savings, security and acoustic insulation. On the outer surface Guardian SunGuard® SN 70/35 HTselective glass was installed; followed by Guardian ExtraClear®, an intermediate glass layer; and on the inner surface, Guardian ClimaGuard® Premium2 laminated glass is used to reinforce the overall security and energy efficiency. This glass unit provides 61% light transmission and 32% solar factor. This means that the glass allows abundant sunlight in, while blocking most of the heat, providing Punta de Mar with excellent thermal insulation, solar control and a high level of security and sound insulation, creating a core set with very high performance and energy efficiency levels. Not only does the glass facilitate a much more transparent, vivid and unobtrusive view of the surroundings from the inside – such as the sea and natural environment – it also dims the internal-external borders and allows guests to experience total connection with its continuously changing location.
© Mano de Santo
For the project’s interior design, Guardian SunGuard® HD Silver 20 was specified (in wardrobe areas, headboards and bathroom) with the aim of playing with different reflections. Due to its various mirror effects, privacy can be enhanced in these more intimate areas, while creating interesting, fun effects in others, providing a sense of spaciousness and immersion of the outside with the inside.
In this sense, the architect highlights: “The importance of the glass, as well as all the other materials we have chosen, has been essential. With these, we have looked for a total connection with the surroundings. In particular, the glass should have some specific performance in terms of transparency to achieve that [apart from insulation], as well as large dimensions to solve the comfort aspect too. This adds up to the fact that the glass used for the living space of the lodge allows a 360-degree experience. The guest feels enveloped by the surroundings. It’s an experience of total integration and the glass assists in achieving that.”
Likewise, as the perfect complement for the glass, the sliding closures of the project stand out, enabling maximum opening of doors and windows by using reduced aluminium profiles to create unobstructed views and maximising natural light.
© Mano de Santo
Layout and technology conceived for the guest*
With a total area of 74m2, the pavilion is designed for the enjoyment of two people and is divided into two floors, with a minimalist design and equipment. The 40m2 first floor has a stateroom with en-suite bathroom and a private terrace that serves as an extension of the interior space. The 34m2 second floor is a chill-out deck, an area designed for relaxation. Both spaces have lighting and background music.
Another feature of Punta de Mar is that guests have continuous control of their experience by using a home automation app that allows decisions to be made on specific aspects of the accommodation. The innovative technological solutions in this project allow guests to manage the lighting, sound, fragrances and level of security. These controls can be applied from the platform itself or remotely.
It is worth noting that the lighting at Punta de Mar is biodynamic, which means that it reproduces natural light from the outside on the inside, as the day progresses, the light varies its tone to imitate the variations in natural light.
Sustainability commitment*
Punta de Mar is a sustainable tourist initiative that doesn’t generate residues because it is a modular structure with a system based on “Plug & Go”. Furthermore, it integrates with the surroundings and uses materials with a low environmental impact. Another benefit is that the structure is immediate and towable by water and is easily transported by road.
This means that Punta de Mar could be relocated to different natural landscapes and settings that have available mains and power supply connections (whether marine or private beach hotels) to offer unique and exclusive experiences to guests.
News courtesy of Guardian Glass
For this Project, the Guardian glass has been processed by Control Glass (www.controlglass.com) and installed using Technal aluminium system (www.technal.com).
Click here to discover more projects featuring Guardian glass.
(*) Information facilitated by the project promoters: Mano de Santo and KMZero, Open Innovation Hub, part of Martinez Group.