Modern two-story house with flat roof and glazed atrium, surrounded by other houses and mountains.

A modern two-story house with a flat roof and a central glazed atrium. The house features multiple windows with wooden shutters and a small garden area in the foreground. The surrounding area includes other residential buildings and a mountainous landscape in the background.

A modern two-story house with a flat roof and light-colored facade, featuring wooden window shutters. The house is situated on a sloped plot with a garden in the foreground.
A hillside residential area with several houses surrounded by trees and greenery. The houses vary in style and size, with some having flat roofs and others with sloped roofs. The area is lush with vegetation, and the terrain is noticeably sloped.
Facade of a building with three wooden-framed windows and light-colored ceramic block walls.
Exterior view of a modern house with light-colored ceramic block walls and wooden window shades. The house is surrounded by a garden with plants and a gravel path.
A modern building exterior featuring a combination of light-colored ceramic block walls and metal louvered windows. The structure includes wooden slatted panels and a chimney, with a backdrop of greenery and a clear sky.
A modern building facade with light-colored ceramic blocks and a window partially visible. In front of the building, several tall, bare wooden poles are arranged vertically. The sky is partly cloudy.
A close-up view of a building corner with a single window, constructed from light-colored ceramic blocks, under a bright sky.
Exterior view of a building with a facade featuring multiple glass windows and a light-colored wall. The windows are angled outward, and the building is surrounded by trees and other structures in the background.
A section of a building facade with a small window and a brick wall with flowering plants.
A modern house exterior with a combination of light-colored brick and metal cladding. The facade features large windows with louvered shutters and a wooden door. A small garden is visible in front of the house, separated by a wire fence.
An exterior view of a modern single-family house featuring a small pool, wooden doors, and a facade with a combination of glass and wooden elements. The house is set against a backdrop of hills and greenery.
A wooden door with a metal handle is set into a wall made of light-colored ceramic blocks. A plant with green leaves climbs the wall, casting shadows in the sunlight.
Close-up view of a building's exterior featuring wooden cladding and corrugated metal roofing.
Close-up view of a building's exterior wall and window structure.
Close-up of a building facade featuring wooden elements and glass windows with adjustable louvers.
Interior view of a two-story space featuring a central atrium with exposed wooden beams and brick walls. A metal staircase leads to the upper level. The area includes a wood stove and large windows allowing natural light to enter.
Interior view of a room with large glass doors, brick walls, and a wood stove.
Interior view of a room with exposed brick walls, wooden furniture, and a large glass door leading to another room.
Interior view of a multi-level space with wooden beams and large windows, featuring a metal chimney and brick walls.
Close-up view of a wall with lightweight ceramic blocks and wooden beams.
A cat sitting near a partially open wooden-framed glass door leading to a kitchen with wooden cabinets.
Interior view of a corner featuring wooden beams and light ceramic block walls with windows.
Interior view of a corner with large glass windows and wooden frames, featuring adjustable horizontal slats for ventilation.
Interior view of a room with large windows allowing natural light to enter. The room features wooden walls and a drying rack is visible near the window.
Interior view of a staircase with wooden beams and ceramic block walls.
Close-up view of a wooden cabinet door next to a wall made of red ceramic blocks.
Close-up view of a wooden staircase with vertical slats and a textured wood grain pattern on the wall.
Interior view of a wooden staircase with a window and exposed brick wall.
A small bathroom sink area with a wooden finish, featuring a mirror, a faucet, and various toiletries.
A wooden interior detail featuring a sink with a faucet, a mirror, and an electric toothbrush.
A wooden staircase with visible wood grain, adjacent to a wall with exposed brick.
Interior view of a wooden wall with a round window and a partial view of a kitchen sink area.
A small bathroom with light wood paneling, featuring a toilet and a sink with a mirror above it. There is a shelf holding toilet paper and towels, and a single light bulb hanging from the ceiling.
Interior view of a room with wooden flooring and a wooden cabinet. The walls are made of exposed ceramic blocks, and there is a wooden railing visible.
Interior view of a house featuring a staircase with metal railings, terracotta tiles, and ceramic block walls. There are potted plants on a brick ledge.
Interior view of a house featuring a wood stove with a brick surround, metal staircase, and wooden railings. The space is well-lit with natural light coming through large windows.
Interior view of a wooden atrium with large windows and a view of the outdoors.
Interior of a room with exposed wooden beams on the ceiling, a bed, a window with a blind, and a dark wooden dresser.
Architectural floor plan of a single-family house showing the layout of rooms and outdoor spaces.
Architectural floor plan of a single-family house with surrounding landscape.
Architectural site plan of a single-family house with surrounding landscape elements.
Architectural site plan of a single-family house with surrounding landscape.
Architectural section drawing of a multi-level house on a sloped site with vegetation.
Architectural section drawing of a single-family house on a sloped terrain.
Architectural section drawing of a multi-level building with vegetation on the roof and facade.
Architectural section drawing of a building with two main volumes, windows, and surrounding vegetation.
Architectural section drawing of a multi-level house on a sloped terrain, showing interior spaces, stairs, and structural elements.
Architectural section drawing of a single-family house showing interior spaces and surrounding landscape.
Architectural section drawing of a multi-level house with a sloped terrain.
Architectural section drawing of a house showing two volumes connected by a central atrium, with annotations indicating airflow and structural elements.
Architectural section drawing of a multi-level house on a slope, showing interior spaces and structural details, labeled 'winter'.

Story

Harnessing the Terrain for Passive Climate Control Nestled into the steep landscape of Cervelló, this single-family home by Arqbag transforms a challenging site into a climatic asset. The design strategically utilizes the land's natural slope to enhance passive climate control, creating a home that is both energy-efficient and harmoniously integrated with its environment. The house is composed of two distinct volumes that cascade down the slope, connected by a glazed atrium. This central space plays a crucial role in regulating temperature and ventilation. The atrium captures solar radiation in the winter, distributing warmth throughout the home via a wood stove, while in the summer, it functions as a ventilation chimney, ensuring passive cooling. The structure employs a single layer of lightweight ceramic block for its primary volumes, providing both thermal mass and insulation. This material choice, combined with the atrium's strategic design, allows the house to operate passively, minimizing energy consumption and maintenance costs. The spatial organization offers a variety of living experiences. The central level houses the kitchen and living areas, seamlessly extending to an outdoor space with a pond, barbecue, and a separate study. The lower level connects directly to the garden and vegetable plot, while the upper floor features a loft area with bedrooms, offering privacy and expansive views.

## Design Highlights

Two cascading volumes connected by a glazed atrium Lightweight ceramic block construction for thermal efficiency Atrium functioning as a passive climate control system Diverse spatial arrangement with central living areas and private upper loft Integration with the steep terrain for natural energy efficiency

## Key Facts

Key Aspect Detail
Architect Arqbag
Location Cervelló, Spain
Year 2024
Surface Area 186 m²
Collaborators BBG Estructures, Guillem de Pablo, Emilio Sanchiz

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • Exterior: Light-colored ceramic block walls with wooden window shutters.
  • Interior: Exposed brick walls and wooden beams.

Materials

  • Ceramic block — Used for the exterior walls providing thermal mass and insulation.
  • Wood — Used for window shutters, beams, and interior finishes.
  • Glass — Used in the glazed atrium and large windows.

Construction / Systems

  • Passive climate control: The atrium captures radiation in winter and acts as a ventilation chimney in summer, ensuring passive comfort.

Products

  • Heating — Wood stove (Distributes heat throughout the house in winter.)

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: Light-colored ceramic, Natural wood tones
  • Lighting: Natural light through large windows and atrium.

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