House of Pipu and Marta, This is a plot between party walls, 3.5 meters wide and 35 meters long, with a buildable depth of 22 meters, a generous depth that becomes an opportunity for the project. From the existing construction, which consists of a ground floor, mezzanine, first floor, and attic, we retain only the street facade, some strategic slabs, and the load-bearing party walls. We dismantle and restore the elements we keep to highlight the quality and texture of their materials, which will help give identity to the home.
© Adrià Goulà
The heights of the existing floors are very low, and the level of the backyard garden is situated between the floors, which compels us to design the new home with a sectional approach where each room is placed at a specific height. The different platforms define the program. The house is experienced as a succession of spaces that transition from less to more private, intertwined through both horizontal and vertical pathways.
© Adrià Goulà
The walled patio with its high party walls captivates us from the start. A garden sheltered by three slender mulberry trees reaching for the sun. We decided to place the living room within this garden.
© Adrià Goulà
We will cover this new space with a one-way reinforced concrete slab, made on-site. A new heavy element that will rest on the thick stone walls. The space is enclosed with a large glass wall open to the garden, and we separate it from the existing building with a patio where we transplant one of the mulberry trees.
© Adrià Goulà
The roof of the new pavilion will be finished with a green roof, with private access from the main bedroom on the upper floor. The lightweight staircase vertically connects the entire home. To enhance this journey, we leave the party wall stone exposed, accompanying us from the foyer to the attic.
© Adrià Goulà
The interior facade faces southeast, and we design it predominantly with glass to enhance direct solar gain in winter, while protecting from the summer sun with Alicante shutters and the estate’s own walls. The house is climate-controlled with underfloor heating using aerothermics, and the entire envelope—floor, facade, and roof—is carefully worked on, avoiding thermal bridges and paying special attention to air tightness.
Project Info
Architects: Menhir Arquitectura
Country: Spain, Vilafranca del Penedès
Area: 168 m²
Year: 2024
Photographs: Adrià Goulà
Technical Team: Nuria Ferrando
Madeline Brooks is a Projects Editor at Arch2O, where she has been shaping and refining architectural content since March 2024. With over a decade of experience in editorial work, she has curated, revised, and published an array of projects covering architecture, urbanism, and public space design. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Madeline brings a strong academic foundation and a discerning editorial eye to each piece she oversees. Since joining Arch2O, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s editorial direction, with a focus on sustainability, social relevance, and cutting-edge design. Madeline excels at translating complex architectural ideas into clear, engaging stories that resonate with both industry professionals and general readers. She works closely with architects, designers, and global contributors to ensure every project is presented with clarity, depth, and compelling visual narrative. Her editorial leadership continues to elevate Arch2O’s role in global architectural dialogue.