Schüco Search
...

Chalet en El Escorial

Madrid, Spain

Information about the reference project

Type of building:

Living

Products:

Sliding doors, Windows

Series:

AWS 75.SI+, ASE 60

Location:

Madrid, Spain

Completion:

2018

Architects:

Aranguren & Gallegos

Specialist company:

Alumifyl España, S.A.

Picture credits:

Jesus Granada | photographer

Inside the Box

One hour's drive northwest of Madrid, an unusual family home is nestled in amongst a pine forest on the steep southern slope of Mount Abantos.

How would you feel about living in a building made up of multiple connected boxes? For architect José Gonzáles Gallegos, this was the perfect solution to integrating modern architecture into its natural surroundings. Divided into several floors, the house looks more compact and does not dominate the landscape as much since it is barely higher than its surroundings.

This concept is supported by the texture and colour of the rusty Corten steel, which characterizes the external appearance of the house and allows it to blend in with the red-brown hues of the neighbouring pine trees. The position of the building along a north-south axis ensures that, even on the shortest days of the year, the sunlight warms the façade. With Spanish summers in mind, the architect and client decided to position the house on the highest plane facing the northeast. The generous opening widths of the Schüco Classic Design sliding doors allow the cool flow of air from the forest to circulate inside. The house opens up towards the landscape, permitting stunning views of the La Herrería Forest to the southwest and of the Royal Basilica of San Lorenzo de El Escorial to the east, a royal building built in the 1600s. Standing on the large veranda, you can glimpse the domes of the palace and monastery. The ground floor, which is also the main living area, is divided into a day and night zone by the entrance. The night zone has four bedrooms, while the day zone is made up of the kitchen, a living and dining area, and the library, which is at the highest point. The lower floor of the building houses a laundry room and utility room, as well as an office, playroom, workshop and a guest room with ensuite. The particular layout of the house and the position of the residential ‘boxes’ along the hillside mean the owners and guests can enjoy the stunning views on all sides even from the basement floor.