Located among lush, rolling hills in Valles Pasiegos, Spain, Villa Slow is a minimalist holiday home designed by Laura Álvarez Architecture. The property was once a stone ruin, and now it generates more energy than it uses.

“Villa Slow is designed and built with extreme mindfulness and care for detail,” says the Amsterdam–based firm. “The house is very respectful to the environment. Its design is based on the traditional typology of a Pasiego House (Cabana Pasiega), but with a contemporary twist.”

The simple home's rough exterior stone walls and roof contrast beautifully with its minimalist interior. Two expansive panoramic windows in the living room frame the remote countryside.

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Villa Slow houses two bedrooms that allow for various arrangements—the rental can be set up for couples, families, friends, etc. Each room also comes with its own bathroom.

Keeping sustainability in mind, the architects installed thick insulation, underfloor heating, and a heat pump to minimize heat loss throughout the home. High performance glass keeps the interior warm in the colder months, while large wooden shutters prevent heat gain in the summer and protect the house from the elements.

The home is located in a special natural area acclaimed for its spring water formation, and it sources its own tap water on-site.

“I grew up in the north of Spain not so far away from Villa Slow,” says Laura Álvarez, founder of the firm. “This region of Spain has many of the things I always look for when I go on holidays: mountains, sea, natural parks, hiking, quietness, culture, and rich gastronomy.”

Villa Slow starts at €225 per night, and can also be rented weekly. To learn more about this holiday rental, or to book your own stay, check out the Villa Slow website.

Related Reading: An Abandoned Stable in Spain Is Transformed Into a Sustainable Vacation Home For Rent, Live Large in These 10 Loft-Style Vacation Rentals

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Laura Álvarez Architecture / @lauraalvarezarchitecture

Contractor: Soal Inversiones SL

Wood works: Carpinteria Astillero

Photography: David Montero

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Slow Down Time at This Zero-Energy Holiday Rental in Northern Spain