acha zaballa arquitectos: more house, cantabria

‘more house’ by acha zaballa arquitectos, cantabria, spainimage © jose cutillasall images courtesy of acha zaballa arquitectos

the ‘more house’ by spanish firm acha zaballa arquitectos is located in a developing low-density residential area known as montealegre in the outskirts of castro-urdiales. the primary strategy in the design was to optimize efficiency in space as much in the exterior landscaping as in theinterior organization of program. much of the site is excavated, defined by an irregular angular retaining wall. apart from creating a protected exterior garden out of the site of neighbors, it also allows the masonry structured house to take on a vertical aspect as the basement level can receive natural light and fresh air. following the form of three wood-clad stacked boxes, the alternating nature of the dwelling creates resultant spacesthat support extra activities. overhangs provide shade and cover in certain outdoor areas whereas the upper side of the volume now creates a south-facing terrace. each mass contains two equally sized windows that offer views in differing directions. a central staircase runs like a spinethrough all the levels as the program develops on either side of it, lending to maximum efficiency in circulation.

approachimage © jose cutillas

image © jose cutillas

view from the streetimage © jose cutillas

exterior stairs lead down to the embedded sectionimage © jose cutillas

entranceimage © jose cutillas

entry floorimage © jose cutillas

polished concrete floors and white walls reflect lightimage © jose cutillas

second levelimage © jose cutillas

image © jose cutillas

central stairsimage © jose cutillas

site plan

floor plan / level 0

floor plan / level 1

floor plan / level -1

section

landscape retaining wall

project info:

site area: 505 m2built area: 176.59 m2cost: 235,000 EUR, excluding VATconstruction: construcciones iturriaga