In the tranquil setting of the Pedrezuela municipality in Madrid, Spain, Oak House, conceived by MUKA Arquitectura, emerges as a brilliant demonstration of how modern architecture can coexist harmoniously with the natural environment. Drawing inspiration from the site’s unique elements, such as two grand oak trees, a reflective water surface, and a sweeping horizon, the design ushers in a residence that not only acknowledges but also honors its surrounding landscape.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Architect: MUKA Arquitectura
Location: Pedrezuela, Madrid, Spain
Material: Concrete and Wood
The architecture of Oak House subtly embraces its environment through meticulous orientation and form. Entering from the south, visitors experience a graceful, continuous curve that seamlessly integrates into the dwelling. In contrast, the northern facade captivates with a double-height glass wall, gently curved to accommodate an existing oak tree. These intentional design gestures emphasize a harmonious relationship with nature, encapsulating the pre-existing natural beauty alongside the built environment.
A notable focus of the design is the interplay between the home’s views and the natural topography. The northern facade leverages the sloping terrain, intricately positioning interior spaces in a diagonal sequence. This configuration not only enhances spatial fluidity but also maximizes daylight entry across the levels. The cascading design ensures that every corner of the home is illuminated naturally, maintaining a continuous link to the outdoors.
Oak House stands as a testament to material efficiency and aesthetic unity. Constructed primarily from concrete, the structure’s raw material forms floating platforms, creating a seamless upward motion throughout the space. This ascending journey from communal areas at the base to more private quarters at higher elevations ingeniously graduates in both intimacy and function. A standout feature within this scope is the floating concrete bathtub attached to a cylindrical shower column, where occupants can luxuriate while enjoying panoramic views framed by floor-to-ceiling windows.
The construction employs a dual-layered concrete shell with integrated insulation, blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior. This monolithic technique ensures that the material is multifunctional, serving roles from structural support to housing essential services within its core. Oak House thus stands as an epitome of architectural restraint and raw beauty, embodying purity in form and function with timeless elegance.
Despite the predominant use of concrete, Oak House manages to maintain an open and airy ambiance, thanks to its large windows and soaring platforms that channel light throughout the interior. The introduction of wooden elements, including window frames, kitchen cabinetry, and the upstairs mezzanine’s curved edge, brings warmth to the home’s otherwise austere concrete environment. Furthermore, the private areas are ingeniously created on floating levels that provide the openness of the design yet offer the desired seclusion integral to bedroom spaces. Oak House is a refined example of modern living in symbiosis with the natural world. For more details about Oak House and MUKA Arquitectura, interested readers can visit mukaarquitectura.com.
