Magarola House

Jun 8

Written by Omar Dahabra

Location: Sant Cugat del Vallès, Spain
Year: 2024
Architects: Raúl Sánchez Architects
Photography by: José Hevia

Situated on an extreme 100% slope, the house rises respectfully to the terrain and preserves its natural profile, avoiding large excavations in the slate rock. Designed to adapt to the landscape, it barely touches the ground, resting on a few concrete screens that function as structural elements, leaving the terrain virtually untouched. This creates a constructed layer that blends into the surroundings without losing its own identity.

Access is from the upper level, where the house presents itself as a regular, hermetic volume. As the terrain descends, it becomes evident that the house barely rests on the rock at the rear, instead extending its "legs" (concrete screens) to find support in the façade walls and the central core along the slope. A cantilevered staircase, connecting the pedestrian access to the parking area, descends and leads to the main level, where a large terrace welcomes visitors. This terrace extends seamlessly from a spacious kitchen-dining area, which opens onto the exterior balcony through four large sliding windows. Once inside, the connection between interior and exterior is fluid and constant: the surrounding trees, with branches brushing the facades, and distant views of the valley and mountains are revealed at every turn, creating a continuous dialogue between the house and its surroundings.

On the lower floor, a central block houses the staircase, bathroom, and pantry, freeing up the entire perimeter for a continuous flow of kitchen, living, and viewing space. The latter overlooks the valley and features a built-in bench along the entire glazed facade. These interconnected spaces are designed for both inhabitation and contemplation of the landscape. As a result, the house lacks a conventional entrance; instead, the arrival experience is defined by the large cantilevered slab—an extension of the kitchen—which features a large dining table made of in-situ concrete and ceppo di grè stone, welcoming guests through food and drink. The internal staircase creates a double-height void, emphasizing the visual and functional connectivity between floors within this continuous space. It then passes through a circular opening before emerging at the ceiling through a 45° rotated square turret, allowing for uninterrupted spatial flow while maintaining panoramic views from the roof.

On the upper floor, a central space connects two small balconies that frame the landscape while providing access to three bedrooms and a bathroom. The master bedroom includes a walk-in closet and en suite bathroom, with sliding doors that allow for flexible space configuration. Even the shower is positioned to enjoy a new window, balancing views and privacy.

The house's design follows the golden ratio in both plan and elevation, achieving a visual balance between simplicity and sophistication. The volume appears uncomplicated, with three of its facades—facing the entrance and neighboring properties—characterized by carefully placed and contained openings, some of which are covered with lattice screens to control sunlight. Even the first-floor balconies face inward for privacy. In contrast, the valley-facing facade is completely open, allowing uninterrupted views. This openness is further emphasized by a subtle color shift: a very light yellowish hue differentiates this facade from the earthy tones of the rest of the house, blending with the local soil while maintaining a distinct, almost paradoxical familiarity.

Structurally, the house is supported by concrete screens along the facades and the central core, connected by exceptionally thin 20 cm reinforced concrete slabs. No structural elements are visible inside, as the interior was designed as an open, uninterrupted space. Similarly, from the exterior, the only visible supports are the thin concrete "legs."

The house features underfloor heating in all rooms, with an efficient aerothermal system providing heating and cooling, powered by photovoltaic panels on the roof. Other sustainable strategies include an external thermal insulation system without thermal bridges (even the underside of the lower floor slab is insulated), natural cross-ventilation in all rooms, carefully controlled orientation and placement of openings (the glazed valley-facing facade receives minimal direct sunlight), a rainwater collection and reuse system, and a selection of simple, locally sourced materials. These elements contribute to an environmentally conscious home with high energy performance. Furthermore, the land remains largely untouched, with only two trees removed out of more than forty on the site.

The house's first step—a massive piece of local rock—pays homage to Carlo Scarpa's approach to stairs, always conceived as an invitation to ascend. This element reflects the project's philosophy, blending environmental sensitivity, formal and spatial inventiveness, landscape integration, and sustainability, resulting in a home that both respects and enhances the natural beauty of its surroundings. Text description by the architects.

Source: www.archdaily.com + www.raulsanchezarchitects.com
Area: 175 m²

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