In Progress

Year 2023

Surface:

180,00 m2

Architects

Diego Díaz Mosqueira

Gustavo Figueira Serrano

Alba Álvarez Vázquez

Jimena González Verdía

Location:

Ponteceso, Spain

Rehabilitation of an existing single-family home in a rural area

The renovation of House XO is located in a rural setting where traditional Galician architecture defines the landscape. The project takes on the challenge of transforming an old stone building into a contemporary home under a clear premise: respecting the memory of the original load-bearing walls while designing an interior filled with light, air, and modernity.

This project is more than just a renovation; it is a reinterpretation of heritage. The intervention seeks a balance between the tectonic weight of stone and the lightness of new materials, creating a single-family home that meets current comfort standards without relinquishing its vernacular soul.

Architectural Strategy: Double Height as the Heart of the Home

A key feature of the house is the opening of new voids and the creation of a double-height space. By removing part of the intermediate floor slab in the social area, a spatial “lung” is achieved, visually connecting the different functions of the house.

Fluid Distribution

The ground floor is organized through an open-concept layout that maximizes every square meter:

• Social Zone: A large continuous space integrating the living room, dining room, and kitchen. A minimalist corner fireplace acts as a focal point, bringing warmth to the space.
• Outdoor Connection: The living room extends outward through a large window with slender framing, blurring the boundary between the interior and the private courtyard-garden, allowing nature to become part of the decor.
• Private Zone: At the opposite end, the bedrooms are shielded by the robustness of the original walls, ensuring optimal rest and natural thermal insulation.

The Mezzanine: A Space for Inspiration

A staircase with floating wooden steps leads to the upper floor. This mezzanine functions as a studio or reading nook overlooking the living room, benefiting from overhead light and the textures of the timber under the roof.

Honest Materiality: The Triad of Stone, Wood, and Terrazzo

The material selection for House XO is a statement of intent regarding durability and timeless aesthetics.

1. Original Stone: The masonry walls are restored and cleaned, left exposed in the interior to provide texture and a palette of earth tones that shift with the sunlight.
2. Noble Wood: Used for ceilings, floors, and custom furniture. The sloped ceilings with exposed light-wood beams not only improve acoustics but also provide essential warmth in the Atlantic climate.
3. Contemporary Terrazzo: One of the most striking details is the large kitchen island made of polished terrazzo with colored aggregates. This monolithic volume adds a touch of modern, artisanal design.

Sustainability and Efficiency in Rural Renovation

At vi17, sustainability is not an afterthought but the foundation of the design. This project implements solutions to improve the original building’s energy efficiency:

• Thermal Insulation: Enhancement of the building envelope while respecting the stone aesthetics.
• Solar Gain: The orientation of the new glazing allows for solar heat gain in winter, reducing heating consumption.
• Local Materials: The use of regional resources to minimize the carbon footprint of the construction process.