quico jorreto: house on the minho river, spain

‘house on the miño river’ by quico jorreto, galicia, spainall images courtesy of quico jorreto

two strong perpendicular moves over the declining site in the form of concrete interventions make up the house looking over the miño river in galicia.local architect quico jorreto sought to take full advantage of the southern-facing slope for natural light and to frame the opportune views with a reinforced concrete dwelling partially embedded and concealed into the terrain. divided into three parts, the house is made up of a carport thatcan be used as an exterior patio, a glass enclosed box whose purpose exists for the observation of the river below and acts as a pivot point for theperpendicularly converging wings, and the enclosed volumes containing services and residential program. the primary semi-buried volume containsa pool that stretches the over the entire roof plane and reflects the surrounding nature, a foreshadowing to the natural water feature beyond.a metal mesh walkway alongside the pool’s edge conceals a courtyard below that ensures plenty of illumination to all parts of the hidden private areas of the home, along with access to ventilation. the central living room and kitchen enjoy a panoramic window facing south while two cores containing the bathrooms separate this social area from the private bedrooms and small office situated at either end of the structure.

standing on the metal grate walkway over the concealed courtyard

in the words of the architect:

a cave, an eye looks to the river, looking for the sun and a buried patio emitting light, ventilation and protection.the eye is big enough to heat in the winter and enjoy the landscape, small enough to close and protect the cave.

a transitional space of access to the cave, a place of contemplation and meditation; water, air, earth and fire.inside the cave two service blocks separate the space for life and sun from the private areas of repose protected by the patio.

the ‘eye’, a panoramic window key to the negotiation of view and sunlight

exterior slab creates a patio space with integrated fire pit

southern elevation

reflecting pool and metal grate floor over an exterior courtyard

central social space

kitchen with views to the river

small study nook

(left) living room with exposed concrete wall(right) study

project info:

architect: quico jorretostructure: jorge aragon fiteraconstruction: construcciones jorreto s.a.kitchen: introset, bulthaup corunafurniture: quico jorreto (oak table and stools, living room side tables, bed frame, study table and bookshelf, couch)