For Casa Magarola,Raúl Sánchez Architects created an access point from the terrace onto which the stairs lead. These access points act as a door from the outside and a window from the inside, fostering a dialogue between the home and its location.
The lower floor of the house houses the living areas, distributed so that movement flows uninterruptedly, while the upper floor houses the bedrooms and bathrooms, spaces with sliding doors that allow the user to play with the levels of privacy and communication.
The materials selected are simple and locally sourced. This, along with the use of an aerothermal system, underfloor heating powered by photovoltaic panels, cross ventilation in all rooms, and careful control of the orientation and position of the openings, creates an example of a home committed to the environment and to the sensitivity of its surroundings and its inhabitants.
Magarola House by Raúl Sánchez Architects. Photograph by José Hevia.
Project description by Raúl Sánchez Architects
Situated on an extreme 100% slope, the house rises while respecting the terrain and preserving the natural profile, avoiding major excavations into the slate rock. Designed to adapt to the landscape, it barely touches the ground, supported by a few concrete screens that serve as structural elements, leaving the terrain practically untouched. This creates a built layer that integrates into the environment without losing its own identity.
Access is from the upper level, where the house presents itself as a regular and 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 on the facade walls and central core along the slope. A cantilevered staircase, connecting the pedestrian access and 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 outdoor balcony through four large sliding windows. Once inside, the connection between indoors and outdoors is fluid and constant: the surrounding trees, with branches brushing against the façades, and the distant views of the valley and mountains, are revealed in every corner, creating a continuous dialogue between the house and its environment.
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 room, and viewing space. The latter faces the valley and features a built-in bench running along the entire glazed façade. These interconnected spaces are designed for both habitation 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 in-situ concrete and ceppo di gré stone island dining table, welcoming guests through food and drink. The interior staircase creates a double-height void, emphasizing visual and functional connectivity between floors within this continuous space. It then passes through a circular opening before emerging onto the roof through a square turret rotated 45°, allowing uninterrupted spatial flow and maintaining panoramic views from the rooftop.
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 an ensuite 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 straightforward, with three of its façades—facing the entrance and neighboring properties—featuring carefully placed, restrained openings, some of which are covered with lattice screens to control sunlight. Even the first-floor balconies are inward-facing for greater intimacy. In contrast, the façade overlooking the valley is fully open, allowing for uninterrupted views. This openness is further emphasized by a subtle shift in color: a very light yellowish tone differentiates this façade from the earthy hues 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 façades and central core, connected by exceptionally thin, 20 cm reinforced concrete slabs. No structural elements are visible inside, as the interior was designed as a seamless open space. Similarly, from the outside, the only visible supports are the slender concrete "legs".
The house features a radiant floor heating system in all rooms, with an efficient aerothermal system providing heating and cooling, powered by photovoltaic panels on the roof. Additional sustainable strategies include an external thermal insulation system without thermal bridges (even the underside of the ground floor slab is insulated), natural cross ventilation in all rooms, carefully controlled orientation and placement of openings (the glazed valley-facing façade 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 terrain remains largely untouched, with only two trees removed out of more than forty on-site.
The first step of the house—an enormous piece of local rock—pays tribute to Carlo Scarpa’s approach to staircases, always conceived as an invitation to ascend. This element reflects the project's philosophy, blending sensitivity to the environment, formal and spatial inventiveness, landscape integration, and sustainability, resulting in a home that both respects and enhances the natural beauty of its surroundings.
