Island House
About Project
01. Introduction
Once again, a house that is not just another house. Once again, we would like to make the most beautiful house in the world.
The land, located in Torrelodones, is a privileged site in the foothills of the Sierra de Madrid. It features powerful, emerging rocks that give the place a great strength—a strength that we chose to reflect deeply within the core of our architecture.
02. The Architectural Concept
The house is designed as a long, rectangular, straight parallelepiped of reinforced concrete, crossing the plot from side to side in the simplest, most minimalist way. This structural approach not only respects the natural topography but actively enhances the value of the rocks emerging from the ground.
The volume appears as if sunk into the hillside, generating a clean roof plane whose backdrop is formed by the large rocks at the highest point of the plot, right at the foot of the Telegraph Tower. From this horizontal rooftop plane, the imposing landscape unfolds into breathtaking views.
03. Spatial Logic & Interior
The internal scheme is highly logical, featuring articulated spaces connected by a side corridor. Utilizing the natural slope of the land, the design culminates in a magnificent double-height room—offering the most dynamic and interesting space in the entire house.
The Play of Light: The large stepped space is tensioned with diagonal light piercing through a massive, south-facing skylight integrated into the roof’s extreme angle (the trihedron).
Framed Landscapes: Across the walls of the expansive living-dining area, large windows conveniently frame the privileged views. Built with deep embouchures, the window sills double functionally as tables, making the framed landscape feel even more integrated into daily life.
04. Materials & Contrast
Externally, the house is crafted entirely of reinforced concrete, presenting a raw, monolithic aesthetic that appears almost as a structural bunker. In stark contrast, the interior is purely white—an exercise in meticulously controlled light, creating an atmosphere that is both serene and beautiful.
Sketches
Plans
