10 Modern Houses from Spain That Could Inspire The Whole World
Spain, like a lot of other European countries, has its fair share of amazing buildings and iconic architectural creations. The residential structures alone are very impressive and we compiled a list of ten amazing houses from Spain that definitely deserve your admiration. Check them out down below.
White House by 05 AM Arquitectura
This white house from Barcelona is gorgeous inside and out. It was designed and built by studio 05 AM Arquitectura and it gets great advantage of its location. Instead of lining up with the rest of the neighboring houses, this one is rotated and sits perpendicular to the hillside which gives it a better orientation and a better view.
In terms of design, the house has a minimalist aesthetic. On the outside it’s almost completely white with just a few wooden accents spread across its surface. The roof is flat and in tone with the simplistic overall appearance of the house. It’s details such as the doors, the sliding doors and the wooden deck that add character to the house and break the monotony of its all-white design.
The Levitt House by CSO arquitectura
This house was built back in 1983 and is still standing and looking better than ever. It’s been recently remodeled and expanded, adding 108 square meters of living space to its total of 428 square meters. The new design is inspired by the old aesthetic of the house and uses pre-existing materials such as wood, bricks and concrete tiles to look familiar yet fresh. The transformation was done by studio CSO arquitectura in 2018.
Because it could be expanded the house had to first be partially demolished. Only three facades, 25% of the deck and first floor slab were left standing which isn’t a lot but was enough to work with. Starting from there, the architects reconstructed the entire building, expanding it towards the garden and adding new features. They did a great job at preserving the character of the old house while also making it all look and feel brand new.
The Grande House
Located in Madrid, the Grande House is a 400 square meter residence and it too underwent a big transformation in 2018 when it was restored and turned into a wonderful retreat that’s modern on the inside and timeless on the outside. The changes made by Carla Capdevila, Inés Gaytán were not meant to alter the original structure or design of the house but actually to recover its beauty and to bring to light some of the elements which has been previously covered up during past renovations.
The house itself is very beautiful but so is the landscape surrounding it. The connection with the garden played a very important role from the beginning and during the restoration process. On the outside the house looks like it seamlessly blends into the landscape, becoming one with nature, as if it emerges seamlessly from the ground. The interior is just as beautiful too, but with a more modern vibe.
Our House
This is a house built in the middle of a beautiful garden, with a transparent volume that resembles a huge porch. It’s comprised of two volumes which contrast with each other. One is slender, taller than the other and has solid, closed off walls. The other is horizontal and has full-height windows and sliding glass doors. Together they create a beautiful house surrounded by vegetation and perfectly adapted for its owners’ needs and modern lifestyle.
The intention here was to draw attention to the plot and the landscape rather than the house itself. The focus is on the views and the seamless connection between the house and its immediate surroundings. The interior is bright, pure and modern, featuring white walls complemented by wood-paneled ceilings and window frames as well as polished concrete floors that add a subtle industrial and urban vibe. Pictures by Adriagoula.
The Bench House by Arnau estudi d’arquitectura
This is a modern family home, a cozy retreat for a couple, their three kids and an adorable rabbit. It’s amazing in more than one way and was designed by Fragments. First of all, it looks beautiful, with its clean and simple geometry and modern aesthetic. It’s also a very nice blend of modest and eye-catching. The living spaces form a large rectangular volume which places the living room, dining area and kitchen on the ground floor and everything else on top.
The garage is a separate little volume slightly to the side, complemented by a porch and the entrance. Both structures are white and feature wooden accents that give it a nice Nordic-inspired look and create a welcoming and inviting vibe. The house spreads across the site in a very natural way, blending in with the gentle slope and embracing the hill.
The Park House by Arnau estudi d’arquitectura
As the name suggests, this lovely house from Boscdetosca, Spain is situated right next to a park. Its owners really wanted it to be discreet and very practical, so the attention could be on the park and not the house itself. The architects at Arnau estudi d’arquitectura made sure to turn that wish into reality. They created a charming house which doesn’t stand out much, being clad in wooden planks framed by concrete at the top and the bottom.
The flat roof maintains a low profile and allows the house to remain modest. At the same time, the house manages to seamlessly blur the boundaries between it and the garden, enjoying a very strong connection with the outdoors in general. The garden is position to the south and to the north there’s a beautiful orchard. There’s also a maple tree growing right through the house, concealed by the opan glass facade.
House in Pozuelo by Carlos de Riaño Lozano
With views of Madrid towards the East and Sierra de Guadarrama towards the North, this house is quite amazing. It’s a large single-family home located in a luxury suburb and was designed by architect Carlos de Riaño Lozano. It’s a house for three generations and it was designed in such a way to allow the preservation of the existing trees and to adapt to the topography of the site. The southern facade facing the street is closed off for maximum privacy, featuring a single opening.
On the opposite side, however, the house opens up and welcomes the outdoors into the living areas situated on the ground floor and the bedrooms upstairs. The living room and kitchen have direct access to an outdoor terrace which acts as a buffer between them. Similarly, the upstairs areas feature a cantilevered terrace with glass railings.
House in Mallorca by SAOTA
Located in Mallorca, Spain, this residence is more than just a regular house. In a lot of ways it’s very similar to a resort, featuring a variety of features and spaces aimed towards relaxation. In terms of style, the house is a contemporary interpretation of local architecture, using a selection of natural materials designed to reflect its relationship with the outdoors.
This was a project by architecture studio SAOTA in collaboration with the interior designers at ARRCC. The house is exquisite and features a large and shades outdoor terrace with a big lounge area and a dining space. The terrace is at a slightly raised level compared to the swimming pool. The house itself is big but not necessarily very imposing. It’s been built using stone and wood which gives it a very organic and natural allure.
Villa Slow by Laura Alvarez Architecture
If this looks like the perfect little countryside cottage that’s because it is. It’s something that studio Laura Alvarez Architecture designed it a while ago in Northern Spain. It’s a holiday retreat built where once stood a stone ruin, inspired by traditional countryside cottages but with a contemporary twist. All the materials used to build the cottage are either reclaimed or locally-sourced.
The exterior of the cottage is simple and modest, featuring stone-clad walls and a pitched roof. In comparison, the interior is bright but also warm and welcoming, featuring white walls and lots of wood. The living room, kitchen and dining area are combined into one space with direct access outside and large full-height windows on two sides. There’s also a small patio with views of the mountains and an outdoor dining area that transitions into the garden.
The Canovas Cassart House by Lacol and LaBoqueria
This modern house was built with a focus on sustainability. The architects seeked maximum energy-efficiency and a minimal environmental impact. As a result it was built using sustainable materials and uses solar panels. This was a collaborations between architecture studios Lacol and LaBoqueria. The house takes full advantage of its orientation and sun exposure. Also three of its facades are solid and have few or no openings. The South facade is the only one that opens up towards the outdoors and welcomes in the sunlight and the views.
A system of shutters on the first floor allows the exposed facade to close off for shade, protection from the weather and increased security. The pergola below also has a retractable cover which serves a similar purpose. The house is not just sustainable and eco-friendly but also very welcoming, with a lot of attention being given to the comfort of its inhabitants.