in a residential area close to valencia, spain, ramón esteve has completed a one-story dwelling that strikes a balance between privacy and openness. designed for a site surrounded by pine trees and palm trees, house in la cañada seeks to offer protection from the exterior while affording connection with its immediate context. 

a large central atrium perforates ramón esteve's house in la cañada, valencia designboom

all images © mariela apollonio

 

 

to achieve the seemingly contradictory aim of creating both privacy and openness, ramón esteve has pierced the square floor plan with a number of perforations. varying in size, each perforation serves to connect the house with the external environment and bathe the interiors in natural light. the largest of these apertures is located in the heart of the building and becomes a large central courtyard that marks the main access to the house like a roman atrium. with a large body of water to reflect the blue sky above, this atrium celebrates the act of entrance, making walking into the house a changing and pleasant occasion. 

a large central atrium perforates ramón esteve's house in la cañada, valencia designboom

 

 

the central courtyard also functions to visually connect the ‘day’ and ‘night’ wings of the house, which are physically separated in a rational manner. the interior is developed to be fluid and flowing with visual connections maintained thanks to the pass-through fireplace and the low cabinets. the sensation of fluidity is enhanced by the use of minimalistic window frames that are embedded into the walls. the sliding panes are completely hidden into the walls, thus opening the house outwards and blurring its limits.

a large central atrium perforates ramón esteve's house in la cañada, valencia designboom

 

 

the selection of materials follows the original concept for the house: a warm and cosy home where its inhabitants would feel sheltered. the enclosing walls are thick stonemasonry walls that protect the interior. the wide glass panes are protected by wooden slats that can be adjusted or slide into the walls. by this means, the sun exposure and the views from outside can be modified.

a large central atrium perforates ramón esteve's house in la cañada, valencia designboom

 

 

the canopy that frames the entrance and protects the veranda is made of white exposed concrete. this massive, texturized and sheltering skin encloses the internal spaces, where the white colour and the polished materials are the main features. the garden can be contemplated from a neutral canvas made of lacquered surfaces, smoked glasses and a pavement of trowelled concrete.

a large central atrium perforates ramón esteve's house in la cañada, valencia designboom

a large central atrium perforates ramón esteve's house in la cañada, valencia designboom

a large central atrium perforates ramón esteve's house in la cañada, valencia designboom

a large central atrium perforates ramón esteve's house in la cañada, valencia designboom

a large central atrium perforates ramón esteve's house in la cañada, valencia

a large central atrium perforates ramón esteve's house in la cañada, valencia

a large central atrium perforates ramón esteve's house in la cañada, valencia

a large central atrium perforates ramón esteve's house in la cañada, valencia

a large central atrium perforates ramón esteve's house in la cañada, valencia

a large central atrium perforates ramón esteve's house in la cañada, valencia

 

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project info:

 

project name: house in la cañada

location: valencia, spain

year: 2019

area: 11,334.4 ft2 (1053 m2)

architect: ramón esteve

project team: estefanía pérez, jacobo mompó, anna boscà, maría parra

staff: tudi soriano

landscaping: gustavo marina paisajista

building engineer: emilio pérez, carolina tarazona

external collaborators: índigo ingeniería: prodein ingeniería

constructor: ch palau construcciones

project manager: luis navarro

photography: mariela apollonio