Built for a young family of four, Casa Almudena was conceived by architect Jesús Perales as a sustainable, single-story home with one continuous flow. By removing formal barriers between living areas and including ample windows and doorways, the design encourages connectedness, both to one another and to the surrounding landscape of the Baix Penedès vineyards.

architect Jesús Perales, who recently won the XI Bienal Alejandro de la Sota - Muestra de Arquitectura de Tarragona." layout="wide" credit="Photo by Marcela Grassi " photoUserId=""/>

According to Perales, "the objective was clear: for all the members of this small family to feel connected, irrespective of where they are in the house." Perales goes on to explain that the concept of connectedness pushed the team to create a home with circularity, in which the different parts of the house remained visible regardless of where one is situated.

The home received an "A" energy rating and an "A" emissions rating for use of ACS solar panels, low primary energy consumption (15.76 kWh / year m2), and low CO2 emissions (2.73 kg CO2/m2 year)." layout="" credit="Photo by Marcela Grassi " photoUserId=""/>

“It doesn't matter if you are preparing dinner while the children are doing their homework, you always have the feeling that the rest of the family are with you.” —Jesús Perales, architect

The structural circularity of the house is created via several continuous passageways that meet together in a central inner courtyard. The courtyard serves as an outdoor living area as well as a hub from which all interior living areas flow. The end result is an elegant extension between rooms and indoor/outdoor spaces.

Gutex Cubierta), which the team implemented as a more natural and breathable alternative to a thermal bridge. " layout="wide" credit="Photo by Marcela Grassi " photoUserId=""/>

and their neighbors, while still opening the house up to a beautiful vineyard.
The result is a house with a walled façade, featuring irregular shapes that open up to the
landscape," says project architect Jesús Perales. " layout="wide" credit="Photo by Marcela Grassi" photoUserId=""/>

While only 735 square feet, the thoughtful design of Casa Almudena allows the home to feel expansive rather than small, with an organic sensibility that is inherently warm, inviting, and perfectly suited to its inhabitants and to the surrounding landscape.

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Project Credits:

Architect of Record: Jesús Perales / @jesusperales.es

Collaborators: Anthony Benitez Martin, architect, Marc Riera Arbós, technical architect

Developers: Almudena Álvarez Sánchez and Jorge Ybarra Corpas

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This Low-Impact Home Links a Family Closer to Each Other and the Spanish Landscape