Nicknamed La Madriguera (The Burrow), this cozy, 538-square-foot home in Madrid is wrapped in lush greenery and mirrors that reflect the surrounding gardens. The building was once a painting studio that belonged to the father of one of the clients—and their only directive in the design brief was to leave the old workspace as is.

$4,763 Foundation & Main Structure	$1,190 Refurbishment & Painting	$3,573 Lighting & Services
$4,763 OSB Facade & Insulation	$2,382 Steelwork & Windows	$7,147 Woodwork & Furniture
Grand Total: $23,818

Other than that request, Delavegacanolasso was given free rein to work within a modest budget of €21,000 (approximately $23,800). “The clients shared our vision of the garden as the main element of the intervention—and the idea to make the private area disappear,” explains Ignacio de la Vega, one half of the Madrid-based firm that also includes architect Pilar Cano Lasso.

The first step was to add a small extension to the studio to house the bedroom and bathroom. The addition is marked by a deep, round window, and its exterior is covered with an acrylic mirror (methacrylate) that reflects the surrounding greenery.

“The idea of this house was to pare back the concept of living to its very essence, where privacy and shelter are the main purpose,” explains de la Vega. The result is a warm, welcoming space where “lighting and views are controlled, and you really don’t want to leave,” he says. “This is what we seek in architecture—to create ‘gentle’ spaces for the people who will live in them.”

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Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Delavegacanolasso / @delavegacanolasso

Builder/General Contractor: tinyhome

Structural Engineer: Delavegacanolasso

Landscape Design: Delavegacanolasso

Lighting Design: Delavegacanolasso

Interior Design: Delavegacanolasso

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Budget Breakdown: An Art Studio Is Transformed Into a Lush Garden Home for $24K