located in an upmarket neighborhood in madrid, spanish firm abiboo architects have conceived a 14,000 sq feet residence named ‘house h’. accommodating the diverse and broad needs of the client – a well known sportsman – the contemporary styled architecture is defined by the contrasting volumes that rise and protrude at different heights and differentiated by their materiality.
led by architect alfredo munoz-herrero, abiboo’s response sees house H comprised across four levels; this includes a roof-top terrace and basement. inside, the organization has a non-hierarchical order, with each program encompassing different characteristics but with similar importance. large windows frame the vast grounds surrounding and multiple micro-spaces have been introduced in relation with sensorial experiences.the ground floor follows a typical arrangement associated with a villa. many patios make the building appear large due to its integration with the site. large rooms have been designated for office-use, guess rooms and play areas. meanwhile, the basement has a sauna, meditation room, gym, pool and spa.
the discontinuity continues from the inside to the material of the different volumes. the secondary areas are built with a façade in exposed concrete, while the day spaces at the core of the floor plan are composed in stucco and glass. additionally, at night, the interior spaces are visible to the outside in a metallic ventilated façade that reflects the light and create a strong contrast between all the different materials used.eco-friendly materials were chosen, while passive strategies such as natural light, ventilation and heat were taken into account throughout the project’s development. the design capitalized on creating micro-climates by the patios, water bodies, natural ventilation strategies and water management solutions while takes advantage of active environmental solutions such as the use of geothermal heat pumps that reduce the consumption of co2.
