Being used to the spatial restrictions typical for a city with high density like Madrid, a 1.800m2 (19.370 sqft) plot almost makes you feel lost when you first enter it. We found it extremely important to create a home that integrates the outdoor space and makes it liveable. The climate is very dry and hot in summer, on the other hand you can use terraces all over the year if they are a little protected against sun, wind and rain.Wedecided to use the building to embrace and define the garden areasand create shady places for summer as well as protected areas for the rest of the year.Also, we were impressed by the viewswhich become more breathtaking the higher you go up.It seemed to be clear that, whatever would be built on that spot should spread and rise.

The ground floor is the social areawhere the family with 3 childrenspends the day and gets together with friends. A spacious and well-equipped kitchen is connected to a 78m2 (839sqft) living room;big glass sliding doors open up to the garden, protected by the terrace of the 1stfloor bedroom area.A separate wing along the western limit is destined to guests, staff and a private office with an open fireplace.The masterbedroom area, the only element on the 2ndfloor, points directly to the east and is a look-outof the whole panorama: the snow covered mountain peaks in the north and to the east the green Pardo area with the skyscrapers of the city emerging behind.The facade of the building has two different faces: the hermetic ondulated zinc to the north, the street side, that contrasts with the warm and comfortable Ipê wood facade of the garden side. Both are ventilated facade systemswhich are cooled in summer by the natural thermal movement of air.Indoors, the very functional characterof the house is kept up: cement floors, white walls, big windows, punching metal. Spaciousness, fresh air and daylight dominate the rooms.

The project is a cooperation with architect Carlota Tamames.