Located in Sierra de Ibio, within a landscape that retains its historical urban fabric and rural character, this residential house navigates the tension between strict local regulations and contemporary spatial needs. The design avoids the trap of literal reproduction, opting instead for a structural reinterpretation of the region’s architectural heritage.
Geometry and environmental considerations
The “Casa Reversa” is defined by a single L-shaped volume that folds to enclose a private garden. This configuration is not merely formal; it serves as a primary tool for passive climate control. By orienting the "solid" faces to the north and east, the structure acts as a thermal buffer against Atlantic winds. Conversely, the interior faces open to the south and west, facilitating cross-ventilation in every room and maximising solar gain during cooler months. The single-pitch roof unifies the structure into a continuous body, a sloping plane that reinforces the concept of a folding wall. This element transitions from a protective shell on the street-facing side to an expansive, light-filled aperture overlooking the garden.
Low-impact materiality and local sourcing
The project prioritises a circular approach to material sourcing. The exterior skin is composed of river cobblestones extracted directly from the site. By eliminating the need for external stone supply, the project significantly reduces the carbon footprint while echoing the mineral texture of traditional Cantabrian boundary walls. The rhythmic placement of openings on the stone façade responds to the specific heights of human activity, whether standing, sitting, or reclining, mimicking the functional, evolved façades of vernacular buildings.
In contrast, the interior faces the volume utilises dark-stained timber. This finish references historical Cantabrian wood treatments involving natural oils and dyes, providing a high-performance, renewable alternative to synthetic cladding.
Tectonic details and water management
The material palette is grounded in the local territory. Grey limestone, sourced from the Tina Menor estuary, is used for both interior and exterior flooring to ensure thermal mass and visual continuity. Corten steel is employed for window frames, trims, and a prominent cantilevered gutter, while traditional red ceramic tiles integrate the volume into the village’s fifth elevation.
Spatial organization and adaptability
The floor plan is bifurcated into two distinct wings to optimise internal flows. The day wing consists of a communal sequence containing the kitchen, dining, and living areas organised around a central hearth and a sheltered porch. The night wing serves as a private corridor housing the primary suite and secondary bedrooms. To enhance the building's longevity, one room features flexible partitions that allow the interior volume to adapt to changing occupancy needs without structural intervention.
Through this balance of mass and transparency, the house moves beyond nostalgia, utilising the heavy, local masonry of the past to create a high-performance, light-filled domestic environment that belongs to its geography.
