fran silvestre arquitectos develops timber-and-steel home conceived for dismantling in spain

Fran Silvestre Arquitectos assembles NIU N230 in valencia, spain

In Campolivar, Valencia, Fran Silvestre Arquitectos develops NIU N230 as part of a broader construction ecosystem that treats housing as an assembly process. Conceived to increase precision and cost control while improving environmental performance, the compact dwelling aims to become a prototype for systematized, circular architecture. Instead of demolition at the end of its life, the house is designed to be dismantled and reused, reducing the carbon footprint associated with its full lifecycle.

all images by Fernando Guerra, unless stated otherwise

two axes, clear thresholds

The N230 typology is organized around two through spaces arranged perpendicularly. This cross-geometry structures the ground floor into two distinct daytime atmospheres, articulated by a compact circulation core and the wet areas. The plan separates uses without resorting to excess partitioning. Social life concentrates on the lower level, while the upper floor contains four rooms and a fifth space that operates as a distributor and study area at the same time.

 As the staircase rises, it opens toward the exterior, incorporating framed views into the domestic sequence. Movement is choreographed as spatial experience, reinforcing the ongoing interest of the Valencia-based team at Fran Silvestre Arquitectos in continuity between interior and landscape.

Fran Silvestre Arquitectos develops NIU N230

material coherence as system

RAL 9016 white dominates walls and surfaces, while central elements and built-in furniture are resolved in light oak paneling. Doors, wardrobes, kitchens, and partitions share the same constructive logic, simplifying execution and maintaining visual coherence. Structural components that require higher resistance are executed in steel, while the remaining interior is built entirely in wood. 

Above, a stretched textile ceiling conceals installations while allowing easy maintenance access. Where required, the membrane can be backlit, contributing to a controlled and diffuse interior illumination. On the exterior, a ventilated solid-surface facade reduces maintenance demands and reinforces the logic of standardized assembly.

part of a broader construction ecosystem | image by Jesús Orrico

architecture that is assembled

Components are dry-fitted and coordinated to enable disassembly. In practical terms, this allows reconfiguration over time or complete dismantling without waste-intensive demolition. The strategy aligns precision construction with circular economy principles, positioning adaptability as a structural condition rather than an afterthought.

The placement of the dwelling responds to minor level changes in the site while preserving existing vegetation. Its light system and shallow foundation minimize ground intervention, allowing the house to sit within the landscape. A complementary system of objects accompanies daily life, reinforcing the identity of the project and extending its logic beyond pure construction.

treating housing as an assembly process | image by Jesús Orrico

conceived to increase precision and cost control while improving environmental performance

the house is designed to be dismantled and reused | image by Jesús Orrico

reducing the carbon footprint associated with its full lifecycle | image by Jesús Orrico

the N230 typology is organized around two through spaces arranged perpendicularly | image by Jesús Orrico

social life concentrates on the lower level | image by Jesús Orrico

RAL 9016 white dominates walls and surfaces

as the staircase rises, it opens toward the exterior | image by Jesús Orrico

positioning adaptability as a structural condition rather than an afterthought | image by Jesús Orrico

the placement of the dwelling responds to minor level changes in the site | image by Jesús Orrico

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doors, wardrobes, kitchens, and partitions share the same constructive logic | image by Jesús Orrico

the interior is built entirely in wood | image by Jesús Orrico

the plan separates uses without resorting to excess partitioning | image by Jesús Orrico

the upper floor contains four rooms and a fifth space that operates as a distributor and study area | image by Jesús Orrico

movement is choreographed as spatial experience | image by Jesús Orrico

 

 

image by Jesús Orrico

image by Jesús Orrico

project info:

name: NIU N230

architect: Fran Silvestre Arquitectos | @fransilvestrearquitectos

location: Campolivar, Valencia, Spain

project team: Fran Silvestre, Susana León, Laura Bueno, Gemma Aparicio

interior design: Alfaro Hofmann

technical architect: Enrique Alario

collaborators: María Masià, Pablo Camarasa, Ricardo Candela, Estefania Soriano, Carlos Lucas, Sevak Asatrián, Javi Herrero, Facundo Castro, Anna Alfanjarín, Toni Cremades, David Cirocchi, Neus Roso, Nuria Doménech, Andrea Raga, Olga Martín, Víctor González, Pepe Llop, Alberto Bianchi, Andrea Blasco, Laura Palacio, Carlos Perez, Jovita Cortijo, Claudia Escorcia, Diana Murcia, Olga Fernández, Alejandra Pla, Daniel Fenollosa, Andrés Marín, Álvaro Navarro, Diana Chilingaryan, Maria Barberá, Roberto Marañón, Martina Tomás

financial & business team: Ana de Pablo, Sara Atienza, Valeria Fernandini, José María Ibañez, Andrea Álvarez

constructor / promoter: NIU Architectural

photographer: Jesús Orrico | @jesusorrico, Fernando Guerra | @fernandogguerra

video: Jesús Orrico