La Cuadra E·tension丨西班牙丨Un Estudio Propio

Architects:Un Estudio Propio

Area:1184ft²

Year:2023

Photographs:Alex Lafuente

Lead Architect:Ana Belén López Plazas

Program:Residential

City:Los Nietos Viejos

Country:Spain

Text description provided by the architects. La Cuadra is a project of industrialized craftsmanship, where technical solutions go hand in hand with the rural heritage of the environment, environmental respect, local trades, and the real economy. It is an extension of the original stable where the family kept the animals. A new green volume is supported on the original white lime-washed masonry wall, doubling the surface area and volume. It creates a large multipurpose space with a concentrated area of services at the back (kitchen, storage, laundry, bathroom, and an upper area for sleeping and working).

Located in the central area of a narrow plot, it has a garden available and is connected to the original house through a patio. These conditions create an attractive (and Mediterranean) relationship between the house and the outdoor spaces. The project adds an elevated porch with a lightweight pergola that will serve as a guide for climbing plant species, thus completing the list of outdoor spaces for enjoyment and relaxation.

Inside, the structure is left exposed, its branched greenish-white layout connects us with the natural world, intuitively calming us (the amount of greenery in a garden is proportional to its restorative character). The floor is a platform made of large-format pine wood panels that allow us to walk along the wood grain.

The exterior is metallic, reseda green, and lightweight, intentionally contrasting with the built environment and contributing to the contemporary cultural commitment to aesthetics and sustainability. Black basins collect the water from the dew through the cool wall effect produced by the sandwich roof panels at night. The water is then used in the garden during the day. This is a passive strategy (sustainability of our ancestors) for a reasonable use of our natural resources.

This building takes care of and accompanies the family and neighbors. It aims to be a cultural asset, and it wants to do so within a rural environment.

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