
'introverted house' by XPIRAL, murcia, spain
image © david frutos | bis images
all images courtesy of XPIRAL
'I think that the architecture requires a visit to be truly understood, but all of these fluctuating tri-dimensional concepts...are magnified through the house'
- architect javier peña
the dynamic one-storey helical 'introverted house' by spanish firm XPIRAL rejects the less-than-exciting surrounding landscape and instead creates
a central green courtyard around which all program radially unfolds.a composite concrete, steel and wood structure transitions into one another
creating a cyclical sequence of spaces and a receptacle for capturing the subtle nuances of light, being transformed by its constantly changing qualities.
each material allows a different nature of space, as the heavier concrete uses its thermal mass to both cool and heat the main living areas, slightly
cavernous in nature; steel trusses create thin peripheral elements that bring the user closer to the exterior, and timber components add warmth and
balance to the more industrial elements. a corridor is cantilevered off of the main mass wrapped in a micro-perforated corrugated steel skin that allows
the free passage of air but maintains a certain level of privacy to the rooftop swimming pool beyond, enjoying all the direct sunlight possible.
this suspended element also defines a threshold that can be crossed underneath on the pixelated green property adding another experienced dimension
to the residence.

entrance on the higher part of the site
image © david frutos | bis images

cantileverd concrete structure
image © david frutos | bis images

image © david frutos | bis images

integrated stairs under the pool area into the courtyard
image © david frutos | bis images

(left) underside of the structure
(right) interior garden courtyard
image © david frutos | bis images

image © david frutos | bis images

view into the courtyard
image © david frutos | bis images

rooftop swimming pool
image © david frutos | bis images

image © david frutos | bis images

semi-exterior patio entrance
image © david frutos | bis images

patio
image © david frutos | bis images

(left) balcony
(right) main entrance
image © david frutos | bis images

main living space with crossing wooden beams
image © david frutos | bis images

bedroom
image © david frutos | bis images

bathroom
image © david frutos | bis images

illuminated balcony
image © david frutos | bis images
![]()

floor plan / level 0

section

section

section

elevation

elevation
project info:
project: single family residence
location: mirador de agridulce, espinardo, murcia, spain
developer: d. andres caravaca parellon
archtitect: javier peña galiano
team: maren klaschen, javier jimenez, malte eglinger
technical architect: felipe saez
budget: 140,722.36 EUR
structural engineer: jose + juan cutillas (estructuras filigranas)
wood structure: miguel nevado (amatex)
metal structure: antonio lopez / domingo (metalgrating)
sort of interesting idea; but pretty carelessly detailed, and put together, almost cold war soviet style.
Appears as if it were some decaying relic.
I did think it looked a bit shoddy but studied it a bit more and realised it is not really. Very cool architecture and maybe the funkiness is part of the charm. Finally see a designer who realises the importance of the bath, must have lived in Japan or studied there?
ditto, nicey’s comment.
There’s a very studied flippancy here, and it puts certain assumptions to the test here: highbrow and lowbrow, architectural responsibilities, the hidden versus exposed. the architect is probably right: visiting the site itself is vital. But from what I can see from the photos, this is very intriguing, and if the architect can explore this further I think a language of critique will develop.
Very promising – and all this aside, some surprisingly beautiful spaces! The bathroom tiling, the semicircular garage!