For all the flak that the heedless use of concrete draws in contemporary architecture and the 'bloody-mindedness' attributed to the aesthetic of Brutalism by its detractors, architects still seem to be captivated by the material honesty of concrete. There is a certain allure to the image of a rough concrete structure, something of a ruin of modernist progress and a nostalgia for a future past that commands attention. This is true not only of many architects but also of those connoisseurs of modernist design who appreciate the fineness of Brutalist architecture despite its cumbersomeness. This same allure pervades the sculptural design of Casa Roble (or Oak House), a private residence in Madrid, Spain. Designed by Spanish architecture studio MUKA Arquitectura, the residence is described to be designed as a response to its rich natural context.

As the architects detail in the official concept note, the presence of abundant vegetation and the Pedrezuela Reservoir in the vicinity of the site influenced the house’s layout, with its geometry adjusted to respond to these elements. The layout is peculiarly skewed on the site plan, most likely in a bid to preserve the oak trees from which the residence takes its name. The residential design is defined by a simple volume, expressed in exposed concrete, with a distinctive roof outline that could, to the discerning eye, bring to mind something of Le Corbusier’s Ronchamp. Viewed from the highest point of the site, this roof design seems to float above the terrain, with a clear glass facade offering a view of the interiors. The use of glass, as the architects mention, is a means to provide views of the natural landscape, creating a dialogue between the interior and exterior. To this end, the north facade features a double-height glazed area.

"In a way, the construction manifests its subordination to nature by offering a reading of what was there before, and what came after, through these small, intentional gestures," the architects explain in the concept note. These small, intentional gestures—the use of expansive glazing and the subtle manipulation of the house’s layout—not only allow the architecture to respond to nature, taking care to minimise impact but also offer a distinct shell for the residence. One enters the house at the highest point of the site, stepping down into the living space. Here, an open layout encompasses the living areas and the kitchen. The extensive glass facade on the northern wall heightens this sense of openness, letting plenty of natural light into the house. Subtle levels define the living space, with a conversation pit-like sitting area designed in wood—one of the most interesting elements. Another sculptural addition to the living space is the columnar shower area. Designed as an open bath on the upper level, residents can enjoy views of the reservoir while taking a relaxing bath.

From the open spaces on the lower level, a staircase leads the residents into the more private spaces of the house—the study area, shower, bedroom and walk-in closet. As the architects note, "The concrete structure offers freedom in the placement of the supports, which have their own geometry and materiality. In this way, the different levels that make up the interior journey of the house form an ascending spiral that not only takes place physically but also in terms of privacy." These discrete levels are the only means through which different spaces are delineated, with the residential architecture following a partition-free logic. Open plans are also most indicative of the ethos of modernist architecture and its focus on a contemporary lifestyle, bringing people together and creating multifunctional, light-filled spaces. For the design of Casa Roble, the Spanish architects expertly use levels to ensure separation and a sense of privacy within the open plan. This decision also lends a lightness to the design, in contrast to the heft of the concrete.

The interior design is also in response to the singular materiality of the house. The minimal nature of the interiors, rendered in an earthy tone, effortlessly complements the rough grey textures of the walls. The decision to expose the structural elements adds to this duality of a rough, unfinished shell contrasted with a refined residential interior. While the overt use of concrete for the shell of the house brings up questions as to the sustainability of the project, the simplistic design and an ordering logic for the residence give the architecture a memorable characteristic. The architects’ search for a certain honesty in expression is evident, as they note, in the use of concrete reflecting “an austere, bare, and unadorned nature, timeless in essence”. In its design, Casa Roble does away with those distinctions of barrier, not only internally but with the outside.

Project Details

Name: Oak House
Location: Pedrezuela (Madrid), Spain
Design Team: Moisés Royo, Jesús Bermejo
Collaborators:
Partners: Crisóstomo Páez Ferrer, Helena Medina
Construction: PREFIC SERVICIOS INTEGRADOS SLU
Building Engineer: Juan Ruiz Herrero
Engineer: CYD. Gabinete
Year of Completion: 2024