‘casa en Cerros de Madrid’ by slow studio 

 

‘Casa en Cerros de Madrid’ is a compact and self-sufficient residence completed by Slow Studio for a family of four in Spain. Built on an elongated plot of land, the design reveals a squared layout with a 10-meter-long main facade and interconnected rooms. It achieves passive house standards by effectively introducing natural light and solar heat to ensure minimal energy consumption. Sunlight is gained through a side courtyard acting as a new south facade and an elevated, industrial-like roof with multiple slantings and skylights that bring daylight to the heart of the home. 

house in cerros de madrid compact and self sufficient 1
all images © Salva López

 

 

‘Having a very compact floor plan is in itself a key strategy to reduce energy losses through the facade. That compactness is only interrupted by the courtyard bringing sunlight to the northern rooms. Additionally, raising the roof introduces light and heat to the south. In summer, owners can open up the southern and northern facades, generating proper cross ventilation,’ shares Slow Studio (see more here). 

house in cerros de madrid compact and self sufficient 2
pergola

 

 

The living, dining, and kitchen areas are located on the main facade to the south. Behind them, in an intermediate strip, is a hall accessed through the courtyard and serving as a small reading room and master bedroom. Meanwhile, the northern facade hosts a dressing room, machine room, an open office, and bathrooms. For spatial fluidity, the architects fitted the house with plenty of interior circulations — creating a kind of open loft where rooms can flexibly oscillate between connected and independent zones.

house in cerros de madrid compact and self sufficient 5
patio

 

 

Total thermal insulation elevated by warm aesthetics 

 

Slow Studio created double-bricked and ventilated facades with insulation sheets to achieve thermal inertia. Carpentry, doors, and roofing are all made of wood, offering a pleasant balance between warm aesthetics and energy efficiency. The overall finishing exudes industrial flair, with brick walls and roofing structures left chiefly exposed. The architects finally installed a thermo-stove connected to a hot water tank for bathrooms and heating, as well as a ventilation system powered by heat recovery for the cold climate.

house in cerros de madrid compact and self sufficient 6
studio space

slow studio adds industrial tones to compact passive house in spain
rotating doors – living area

house in cerros de madrid compact and self sufficient 3
kitchen area

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bedroom

 

 

 

 

 

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floor plan
floor plan
longitudinal section through patio
longitudinal section through patio
longitudinal section
longitudinal section
transversal section
transversal section
axonometric view
axonometric view

project info:

 

name: Casa en Cerros de Madrid

location: Madrid, Spain 

architecture: Slow Studio
photography: Salva López

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: lea zeitoun | designboom