Comprehensive energy rehabilitation and extension of a house between partitions in Port de la Selva, Alt Empordà

Last July, GMG completed the comprehensive energy rehabilitation works of a house located in Plaça de la Gent Gran, in the old town of Port de la Selva, in the Alt Empordà region. The rehabilitation has consisted of a comprehensive reform of the distribution of the house, which has only three meters of free interior width, a rise of the floor under cover and the construction of an outdoor terrace. The partition walls, the facades and the ceiling of the ground floor consisting of very unique cross vaults have been preserved. We have added thermal insulation and renovated all the exterior joinery, opting for low-emissivity climalit glazing and external pine joinery. We have chosen wood for the external enclosures because, although they will require maintenance, it is the predominant material in the old houses of the village and we think that they are much more harmonious with the environment than aluminum or PVC windows. The roof is made of wood, while the roof of the first floor has been built with metal beams and vaulted ceilings, a type of slab often used in village houses. The partition walls were originally built with slate stone and unwashed beach sand, containing a high salinity that caused the appearance of very important capillary moisture on the ground floor. To avoid this moisture, we have insulated the ground with a Slutter sheet and we have plastered the partition walls, leaving the stone exposed on the top. On the inner side of the partitions we have built floating partitions above the pavement with an air chamber that allow the drying of the partitions by natural convection. On the ground floor we did not use plaster and to finish the ceramic walls we plastered with breathable lime mortar. In the choice of materials, an attempt has been made to maintain the original harmony of the house, which some local voices say is the oldest house preserved in the old town. For the air conditioning of the house, considering its use as a second residence, we have installed direct expansion heat pumps and fan-coils with an optimal COP. We want to thank our owners and friends, Oriol and Ester, for the trust, enthusiasm and patience they have given us at all times. We also especially appreciate the good work done by Raúl, the builder, and that of all the industrialists who participated, Manolo with the carpentry, Lluís with the installations, Marc with the locksmith and Jordi with the painting . The good work of all has allowed us to achieve a result that we are very satisfied with.