Fran Silvestre Arquitectos completes Villa Lago in La Moraleja, a residential district on the outskirts of Madrid, Spain. The architects conceive this 1,106-square-meter single-family home as a continuous spatial negotiation between architecture and garden.

The house abandons a singular, compact volume in favor of an ascending, stepped composition that stretches outward, maximizing its perimeter of contact with the surrounding greenery and reshaping domestic life around a sequence of open-air spaces. This layout evokes the logic of works by Spanish sculptor Andreu Alfaro, where form appears both deliberate and incidental. While the structure is geometrically precise, the team aims for an effect that feels organic, almost as if the building had settled naturally into the terrain.

In Villa Lago, the house is formed by a series of longitudinal, gently curved bodies that run through the site. These elements are arranged to optimize movement and sightlines, generating five distinct garden spaces, almost open courtyards, each with its own atmosphere. These exterior rooms structure daily life and allow the landscape to remain an active presence throughout the house.

all images by Fernando Guerra

Villa Lago reinterprets the pavilion and courtyard archetypes

Villa Lago draws from the pavilion and the courtyard, two long-standing architectural archetypes. The pavilion appears here as an open, centrifugal system that pushes outward, while the courtyard reemerges as a more protected yet still open-air condition. The architects reference elongated-plan works by Glenn Murcutt and Stéphane Beel as key influences, particularly in their treatment of circulation and continuity.

The program follows the ascending logic of the project. On the lower level, the swimming pool and guest rooms connect directly to the garden. Above them, the main living areas are oriented toward a nearby lake, anchoring daily life to a distant horizon. The highest level contains the private night spaces, gathered into a single linear volume that bridges across the site. Beneath this elevated piece, a wide shaded terrace is formed, reinforcing the interplay between enclosure and openness. At the convergence of these volumes, a central communication core organizes movement between levels and reinforces the idea of continuity between architecture and terrain.

At its core, the project is driven by a fundamental architectural principle: proportion. The Valencia-based architects describe the house as being calibrated through the careful adjustment of widths and distances, allowing spatial relationships to emerge through measured restraint rather than formal excess. 

the gently curved bodies trace a stepped sequence across the garden

the residence unfolds as a series of elongated forms

the swimming pool aligns with the lower level

curved facades guide movement while maintaining visual continuity across the site

large openings dissolve boundaries between interior rooms and the surrounding landscape

the elevated volume bridges above the terrace

the elevated volume forms a shaded terrace beneath

outdoor circulation routes carve through the site

the stepped organization allows light and air to filter through the different levels

curved surfaces soften the geometric precision of the white concrete envelope

the upper-level volume frames views while hovering above the terrace below

interior spaces remain visually connected to the garden through full-height glazing

a deep-set opening frames the terrace, reinforcing the house’s pavilion-like quality

the elongated facade traces the curvature of the site

warm interior light reveals the stepped organization of the house as the volumes settle into the sloping garden

project info:

name: Villa Lago

architect: Fran Silvestre Arquitectos | @fransilvestrearquitectos

location: La Moraleja, Madrid, Spain

built area: 1,106 square meters

plot area: 3,066 square meters

principal in charge: Fran Silvestre

project team: María Masià, Estefania Soriano, Carlos Lucas

interior design: Alfaro Hofmann

developer: 37 Threeseven

technical architects: Jorge Carrión Ponce, José Miguel Cota San Andrés

structural engineer: Estructuras Singulares

general contractor: Project Work

collaborators: Pablo Camarasa, Ricardo Candela, Sevak Asatrián, Javi Herrero, Facundo Castro, Anna Alfanjarín, Laura Bueno, Toni Cremades, Susana León, David Cirocchi, Neus Roso, Nuria Doménech, Andrea Raga, Olga Martín, Víctor González, Pepe Llop, Alberto Bianchi, Andrea Blasco, Laura Palacio, Carlos Perez, Jovita Cortijo, Claudia Escorcia, Diana Murcia, Olga Fernández, Daniel Fenollosa, Andrés Marín, Álvaro Navarro, Diana Chilingaryan, Maria Barberá, Roberto Marañón

financial & management team: Ana de Pablo, Sara Atienza, Valeria Fernandini, José María Ibañez, Andrea Álvarez, Néstor Bolinches

photographer: Fernando Guerra | @fernandogguerra

video: Jesús Orrico | @jesusorrico

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A newly released short film, ‘To think conventionally at La Fábrica would be impossible,’ offers a look inside La Fábrica, presenting the former cement factory as the active working studio of Spanish practice Bofill Taller de Arquitectura it is today. Directed by Albert Moya, a filmmaker known for a series of architectural video portraits, the film moves between archival material and contemporary footage, situating the building within architects’ daily rhythms.

Early sequences draw from original photographs taken before renovation, showing the abandoned industrial structure in a state of decay. Concrete silos, conveyors, and load-bearing walls appear weathered and partially overtaken by dense vegetation, with trees and large plants emerging through openings in the structure and settling into its cavities.

all images via ‘To think conventionally at La Fábrica would be impossible’ by Albert Moya

Archival Drawings Trace the Cement Factory’s Transformation

Intercut with these photographs in the film are original hand-drafted architectural drawings of La Fábrica from the archive of Bofill Taller de Arquitectura. Elevations, axonometric views, and construction documents appear briefly on screen, their graphite lines and annotations conveying the precision of the initial transformation. The drawings register the building as a working document, with structure, circulation, and sectional depth rendered through measured linework.

These archival materials sit alongside footage by Albert Moya of the building as it stands today. The camera moves through tall interior volumes and exterior courtyards where concrete walls, staircases, and voids remain dominant. Light enters through large openings and irregular apertures, revealing the thickness of walls and the layered construction of the former factory.

archival photographs show the cement factory before renovation

bofill taller’s Contemporary Practice in a Historic Frame

The present-day sequences focus on the daily work of the studio’s architects. Teams gather around large tables, review drawings pinned to walls, and work at computer stations set against monumental concrete backdrops. Screens show three-dimensional models and augmented reality tools in use, while nearby, physical scale models are assembled by hand.

Throughout the video, the building remains an active workspace rather than a static backdrop. The long tables, shelves, and model-making areas sit directly within the former industrial volumes, their proportions shaped by the original factory layout. The coexistence of archival imagery, hand drawings, and contemporary digital tools situates La Fábrica as a site where past construction and present practice occupy the same physical ground, observed through its materials, spaces, and ongoing use.

concrete silos, walls, and voids define the character of the former industrial complex

the architects are shown working within La Fábrica’s monumental interiors

hand drawing remains part of the daily workflow inside the studio

digital modeling and augmented reality tools appear alongside physical models

daylight enters through large openings to reveal the thickness of the structure

historic architecture and contemporary practice occupy the same spaces

project info:

name: To think conventionally at La Fábrica would be impossible

architects: Bofill Taller de Arquitectura | @bofillarquitectura

location: Sant Just Desvern, Spain

filmmaker: Albert Moya | @albert__moya

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Spanish cosmetics brand Laconicum introduces its first permanent store on Piamonte Street in Madrid, designed by Kresta Design, also known as Lucas y Hernández-Gil, the studio led by architects Cristina Domínguez Lucas and Fernando Hernández–Gil Ruano. The 80-square-meter interior stands out for its organic-shaped marble tables, exposed wooden columns, and a palette that contrasts deep greens with vibrant orange accents, creating a sensorial environment that merges contemporary retail with a quiet, ritual-like atmosphere.

all images by José Hevia

first permanent Laconicum store emerges as a small temple

Conceived as a small contemporary temple dedicated to body care, the project by Kresta Design by Lucas and Hernández–Gil frames wellness as a civilizing gesture: beautifying, protecting, and ritualizing everyday practices. The space subtly nods to the classical world, with a soft vertical light and a dense, calm ambience evoking the serenity of Roman thermal baths, interpreted through a modern lens. Metal and wooden niches introduce an almost liturgical rhythm, their measured repetition recalling the minimalist discipline of Donald Judd. These frames host a constellation of perfumes and cosmetics that take on an elevated, ceremonial presence. The store encourages lingering through its tactile finishes: limewash paint, microcement floors, warm woods, and the interplay of metal and color.

All furniture is custom-designed by the Spanish design studio, including the sculptural Río table in pink Estremoz marble, Judd-inspired metal niches, metal-grid display structures, and wooden shelving handcrafted in Madrid and Seville. Of the 80-sqm premises, 30 sqm are devoted to retail, unified by a material palette that reinforces the brand’s sensorial identity.  

the first permanent Laconicum store on Piamonte Street in Madrid

the interior stands out for its organic-shaped marble tables and exposed wooden columns

the space subtly nods to the classical world, with a soft vertical light and a dense, calm ambience

a palette that contrasts deep greens with vibrant orange accents

metal and wooden niches introduce an almost liturgical rhythm

the wooden frames host a constellation of perfumes and cosmetics

an interplay of metal and color emerges within the store

All furniture is custom-designed by Lucas y Hernández–Gil

limewash paint, microcement floors, and warm woods complete the project

the design studio has crafted Judd-inspired metal niches and metal-grid display structures

the interior is conceived as a small contemporary temple dedicated to body care

project info: 

name: Laconicum | @laconicum
architects: Lucas Y Hernández – Gil / Kresta Design | @krestadesign
design team: Cristina Domínguez Lucas, Fernando Hernández – Gil Ruano, Sara Urriza Nolan, Ana Heredero, Kyra Jibret, Eva Monzón, Leire López-Herce
location: Madrid, Spain

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Arquitectura-G completes Patio House, a single-story residence in Aiguablava, Spain, that distills domestic life into a continuous loop of light, air, and shadow. The architectural team uses the courtyard typology as a spatial tool to mediate between the natural terrain and the built form, creating a dwelling that feels enclosed and open at the same time.

A setback from the original plot boundary defines the geometry of the house, a move that preserves a ring of untouched terrain around the perimeter. Within this protected envelope, a roofed porch traces a perfect square, enclosing a 15 × 15 meter courtyard framed by a colonnade. At its center lies a shallow reflecting pool and three trees whose canopies filter sunlight across the paving, forming a living microclimate. A thin roof plane seems to hover lightly above the columns and perimeter wall, uniting all spaces under a single horizon.

all images by Maxime Delvaux, unless stated otherwise

continuous porch wraps around patio house

The Barcelona-based collective Arquitectura-G transforms the archetype of the Mediterranean patio house into a contemporary statement of restraint, material clarity, and environmental intelligence. Inside, life circulates through a continuous corridor that wraps the courtyard. Conceived as a variable-width porch, this transitional zone gradually shifts in character from a narrow passage to generous communal spaces like the living room and kitchen. Every room opens directly onto the courtyard through large glazed panels and adjustable louver screens, which regulate light and ventilation.

Arquitectura-G completes Patio House in Aiguablava, Spain

a continuous loop of light, air, and shadow

the architects use the courtyard typology as a spatial tool

a dwelling that feels enclosed and open at the same time

a setback from the original plot boundary defines the geometry of the house

a move that preserves a ring of untouched terrain around the perimeter

life circulates through a continuous corridor that wraps the courtyard

a roofed porch traces a perfect square

enclosing a 15 × 15 meter courtyard framed by a colonnade

a thin roof plane seems to hover lightly above the columns

uniting all spaces under a single horizon

every room opens directly onto the courtyard

large glazed panels and adjustable louver screens regulate light and ventilation

project info:

name: Patio House

architect: Arquitectura-G | @arquitecturag

location: Aiguablava (Girona), Spain

lead architects: Jonathan Arnabat, Jordi Ayala-Bril, Aitor Fuentes, Igor Urdampilleta

project team: Diogo Porto, Siddartha Rodrigo, Jesús Jiménez

structure engineer: Ofici:Arquitectura

MEP engineer: TDI Enginyers

surveyor: Xavier de Bolòs

photographer: Maxime Delvaux | @maxdelv

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The proposed Elche Congress Centre ‘Espardenyer’ by Luca Poian Forms and Frade Arquitectos is planned for a site between the Spanish city’s historic Vila and the contemporary district of Altabix. Conceived as a civic building with an urban role, the project occupies a transitional edge and treats it as a place of connection rather than separation, giving built form to a shared public space.

From its site, the building addresses Elche’s layered context through scale and orientation. A compact mass rises from a solid base, calibrated to the Mediterranean light and heat. With its facade of woven textiles, the volume engages the surrounding streets through porosity at ground level to lend shaded places for gathering. It reads as part of the city’s fabric rather than an isolated object.

visualizations © Playtime

the facade of woven esparto grass

A defining feature of Espardenyer proposal by Luca Poian Forms and Frade Arquitectos is its vegetal veil made from esparto, a material long associated with local craft and domestic construction. Woven elements filter sunlight and air, creating a moderated exterior envelope that responds to climate while offering a tactile presence. This layer operates as both environmental device and cultural reference, translating familiar techniques into a contemporary architectural language.

Inside, circulation is organized with legibility and ease. Public areas progress naturally toward the central performance halls, which form the core of the Congress Centre. These interior spaces emphasize acoustic performance and spatial focus, while secondary programs support conferences, exhibitions, and informal use. The architecture supports varied scales of occupation without theatrical excess.

Luca Poian Forms and Frade Arquitectos propose Espardenyer as a congress center for Elche, Spain

community space by Luca Poian Forms and Frade Arquitectos

At street level, Espardenyer extends civic space into the building footprint. Paved areas transition into shaded zones that invite pause and encounter, forming an urban agora that belongs as much to passersby as to visitors attending events. Thresholds between exterior and interior are deliberately softened to encourage permeability and everyday use.

Environmental strategies are embedded in the design approach. Passive measures work alongside renewable energy systems and geothermal technologies to support comfort in Elche’s warm climate. Local materials reduce transport impact while reinforcing a sense of place. 

a woven esparto veil filters sunlight and recalls local craft traditions

interior circulation guides visitors intuitively toward central performance halls

ground level spaces extend public space into shaded urban gathering areas

acoustic halls form the functional heart of the Congress Centre

environmental strategies rely on passive design and renewable systems

project info:

name: Espardenyer

architecture: Luca Poian Forms | @lucapoianforms, Frade Arquitectos | @fradearquitectos

location: Elche, Spain

engineer: PROINTEC
visualizations: © Playtime | @playtime.barcelona

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The Cathedral of Eternal Roots, designed by GemStones Architecture & Design under the direction of Ines J. Pedras, is a contemporary sacred architecture proposal located within a national park in the Guadarrama Mountains of central Spain. Conceived as a sculptural landmark embedded in the landscape, the project explores how Gothic spatial principles can be reinterpreted through organic geometry, advanced construction systems, and a strong relationship to site.

The cathedral is organized as a continuous spatial ascent, guiding visitors from the ground toward elevated interior spaces. Its form emerges from the terrain as a mineral-like structure, positioning the building as an extension of the surrounding geology rather than an isolated object. The design aims to establish a place for pause and reflection through material presence, scale, and controlled movement. The cathedral’s exterior envelope is constructed using ultra-light stone composite panels. These panels combine thin natural stone veneers with aluminum honeycomb cores, enabling large spans and vertical height while reducing structural weight. The system allows the building to maintain a luminous and permeable appearance, balancing mass with visual lightness.

all images courtesy of GemStones Architecture & Design – Ines J. Pedras

GemStones’ Landscape-oriented Approach to Sacred Architecture

A helical staircase located at the center of the cathedral functions as a vertical spine, connecting the lower levels to the upper vaults. Its double-logarithmic geometry reinforces the project’s emphasis on continuous ascent, linking circulation directly to the architectural form. Traditional ecclesiastical elements, such as arches and vaults, are reinterpreted through root-inspired geometries and hyperbolic curves, translating historical references into a contemporary structural language. Light plays a defining role in shaping the interior atmosphere. Vertical slits and translucent stained openings direct daylight into the space, producing a gradual transition from shadowed lower zones to brighter upper volumes. Vault geometries respond to gravitational forces and solar orientation, combining computational methods with references to Gothic ribbed structures.

The spatial sequence is designed as a progression from dense, textured stone surfaces at the base toward lighter, more permeable forms above. As visitors move upward, material opacity decreases and light becomes more prominent, reinforcing the vertical narrative of the building. This gradual transformation defines the cathedral’s interior experience through changes in scale, illumination, and material expression. Through its integration of landscape, structure, and light, the Cathedral of Eternal Roots by GemStones Architecture & Design Studio proposes a contemporary interpretation of sacred space. The project emphasizes construction logic, material refinement, and spatial continuity, framing architecture as a mediator between ground and sky within a natural setting.

undulating glass arches glow with warm interior light, harmonizing with the rugged terrain

the cathedral mediates between ground and sky through structure, light, and form

the sanctuary’s expansive glass facades reflect the surrounding alpine landscape

a grand staircase leads toward the sanctuary’s ethereal glass facade, crowned by a cross

a rhythmic procession of gray granite arches evokes the timeless grandeur of neoclassical colonnades

organic arcs and spiraling gothic ascent compose the shadowed nave

a mesmerizing concrete vortex ceiling spirals inward like a hyperbolic funnel

a modular grid of polygonal voids arranges in mathematical harmony

the building is conceived as a sculptural landmark integrated into the surrounding landscape

project info:

name: Cathedral of Eternal Roots

architect: GemStones Architecture & Design

lead architect: Ines J. Pedras | @ines_jpedras

engineering and photography: GemStones Architecture & Design

location: San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid, Spain

area unit: 5200 sqm

total site area: 13.650.000 sqm

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

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Perched in the exclusive landscape of La Zagaleta in the hills of Benahavís, near Marbella, Spain, Villa Geneve is a benchmark for contemporary bio-architecture, designed by Manuel Ruiz Moriche of ARK Architects. This design balances natural beauty, sophisticated architecture and contemporary sustainability to create a residence that exists in perfect harmony with its surroundings. The home is guided by ARK’s unique philosophy of bio-architecture, a transformative approach that uses architecture as a mediator between humans and nature to enhance well-being.

the home is located in the exclusive landscape of La Zagaleta in the hills of Benahavís, near Marbella
all images courtesy of ARK Architects

luxury yet sustainable architecture

The Villa Geneve’s clean, modern lines blend organically into the lush landscape of La Zagaleta, with open views across the Benahavís mountains, the Mediterranean Sea and Africa. ARK Architects’ design celebrates the connection between interior and exterior, creating a home that breathes and adapts to the rhythm of life. Contemporary luxury here is defined by authenticity and a connection with the environment, symbolizing a shift toward a quiet, conscious, and sustainable lifestyle.

the design balances natural beauty, sophisticated architecture and contemporary sustainability

A firm commitment to sustainability is evident in the materials chosen. In keeping with the ARK philosophy, the project exclusively uses natural, unprocessed materials such as stone, chemically unprocessed wood, and unadulterated finishes. Even the paints are lime-based, promoting healthy living within the villa. These materials are expressed in their purest form possible, reinforcing the project’s dedication to sustainability and achieving a raw yet refined aesthetic.

the bio-architecture achieve a raw yet refined aesthetic

The architecture and interior design are seamlessly combined. The spaces have been furnished with pieces from Flexform and the exclusive ARK Collection, reflecting timeless design, real comfort, and the highest quality materials. Every detail is carefully considered to complement natural light and the surrounding landscape, ensuring that style, functionality, and personality coexist in perfect harmony. Villa Geneve welcomes occupants to luxury living rooted in nature and well-being.

the interior features a timeless design, real comfort, and the highest quality materials

every detail ensures that style, functionality, and personality coexist in perfect harmony

the home welcomes occupants to luxury living rooted in nature and well-being

inside, even the pool and gym complement natural light with the surrounding landscape

Villa Geneve is a benchmark for contemporary bio-architecture

the project exclusively uses natural, unprocessed materials such as stone, wood, and finishes

project info:

name: Villa Geneve
studio: ARK Architects

architect: Manuel Ruiz Moriche

The post ARK architects build bio-villa in southern spain from unprocessed materials appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Spanish bathroom brand, Roca, turned to the Barcelona-based studio Altherr Désile Park (ADP) for a contemporary update of its Meridian collection, seeking a studio that could demonstrate a sensitivity to an existing design, be respectful of its legacy, yet capable of bringing a new, fresh perspective. The updated Meridian collection successfully merges these requirements, offering a system of basins, furniture, and WCs characterized by fine materials and soft geometry. In this exclusive interview with designboom, designer Jannette Altherr shares insights into how the studio approached the sensitive task of evolving a classic bathroom design for the modern age, transforming its functional pieces with an architectonic quality.

‘We believe that everything is related – the user and their emotions, cultural context, the build and the natural environment, the materials, colors, production and resources. Every element is a matter of context. Meridian already has a powerful name that represents one of its important aspects: the arch as a symbol of Mediterranean architectural culture. This was crucial to preserve,’ begins Jannette Altherr.

Roca’s Meridian collection gets a contemporary update | all images courtesy of Roca

ROCA’S MERIDIAN CULTIVATES A SENSITIVE, ARCHITECTURAL APPROACH

Altherr Désile Park’s sensitivity to context was vital when approaching Roca’s Meridian line. The original collection’s crucial DNA was the arch, a powerful symbol of Mediterranean architectural culture. ADP translated this spirit by drawing inspiration from the austere, vernacular expressions found in the Spanish, Portuguese, or Greek countryside. This design choice reflects a commitment to reduced, elemental shapes, the interplay of strong light and shadow, and the use of noble materials like ceramic, wood, and metal. While ADP also works in the luxury sector, this project offered a unique opportunity to translate the quality, care, and attention typical of luxury design into products that are accessible to a broader audience — a core value shared with the Spanish brand. Rejecting the idea of constant invention, their approach favors an evolution that is subtle and deeply sensed.

‘There is this hype around the idea of breaking things and starting completely anew. I think that is, to a large degree, a myth. Sometimes it’s more important to keep, to care, and to delicately evolve things instead of throwing away and starting again,’ explains Altherr. ‘We spent hours defining a concept together with Roca, and “timeless balance” really captures the essence of the collection. When I think about timelessness, it relates to what we call collective memory. We preferred designing something that doesn’t seek to provoke or be aggressive. We looked for the opposite: something that makes you feel at ease and adds quality to your space. Something that speaks to all the senses including sound and touch — the subtle elements that create atmosphere, rather than just what is captured in a photograph.’

Barcelona-based studio Altherr Désile Park created the refreshed design

CONTEMPORARY UPDATES FOR A LIGHTWEIGHT AND DELICATE COLLECTION

ADP studio’s update focused on refining and lightening the Meridian collection. The original washbasin felt  too heavy in its appearance to fit the modern aesthetic of bathroom design. The solution was to utilize Roca’s Fineceramic® material, which permitted the use of super thin and delicate dimensions that were previously unachievable. This aesthetic reduction was paired with an increased function, adding a subtle frame and a dry zone. The soft, curving shape of the basin was inspired by the cultural importance of water, specifically referencing a drop falling onto a water surface, creating a gentle ripple.

‘If you have a small room and use thick, solid furniture, it can look out of proportion. To create something that feels refined and carefully done in a small dimension requires delicate detail. We had to translate the original pieces into a design way more contemporary and easy to use in real life. This meant adding storage, using the ceramic in a more up-to-date way, and utilizing Roca’s capacity with fine ceramic to do something more lightweight and delicate instead of a thick block. The pieces needed to become more practical, but also more refined and a bit more luxurious,’ states the designer.

Roca’s Fineceramic® material permitted the use of super thin and delicate dimensions

To create a richer ambiance, the material selection went beyond pure hygiene to enhance a sensuous quality. The furniture units use FSC-certified wood with a textured surface, and the metal elements feature a slightly rough lacquer finish that resembles cast metal. The color palette — white, black, and gold — is inspired by the Spanish light, which is characterized by strong white light and deep black shadows, balanced by the golden light of the early morning.

‘We wanted to think about materials as something that enhances a rich perception, rather than being driven only by hygiene. The aim was to create a “nice to touch” sensation. The surface of the wood is always textured and not finished with a lacquer. The metal is a bit rough, like cast metal. It has little pigments on the surface that break the light in a more complex way than a flat lacquer. This avoids the feeling of industrial dryness and adds more complexity to the surface,’ she shares.

made from FSC-certified wood, the furniture units respect the collection’s low-impact environmental footprint

A key technical and aesthetic victory was the redesign of the often-neglected backpack toilet where the water tank is sitting behind the toilet. While the in-wall flush is often preferred in high-quality projects, the backpack version is essential for older buildings lacking space to construct a double wall, or for hospitality and public settings requiring quick, inexpensive repairs.  ADP worked with Roca’s expertise to achieve a much straighter, more architectural language for this highly needed version, shifting the object’s perception from a bowl saddled with a backpack to a column that supports the bowl. This change brings a sense of solidity, fulfilling the studio’s ethos of providing quality design to a broad audience. Furthermore, the toilets utilize innovative flushing technologies such as the Rimless® Vortex System and dual-flushing systems to improve hygiene and optimize water consumption. 

‘We realized there is a real need for this backpack version. With Roca’s excellent development team and expertise, we managed to create a much straighter shape. We wanted to relax the gesture and make a connection to the architecture. Instead of the bowl carrying the water container, the water tank serves as a column supporting the bowl,’ adds Altherr to describe the design details that bring character to the collection.

ADP worked with Roca’s expertise to achieve a clean architectural language

The Meridian collection has already received important recognition, including a Red Dot Award in 2025. Functioning as an ‘alphabet of simple elements’ in multiple sizes, it allows for a wide range of configurations across diverse project needs. The system includes several washbasin options, from compact wall-hung versions to models designed to pair with furniture. These are complemented by two furniture lines: a wall-mounted wood container and a floor-standing metal structure that combines with wood drawers. By providing these flexible components, Altherr Désile Park has created a robust system that adapts easily to diverse spatial, aesthetic, and functional requirements, ensuring the collection can continue to evolve with the user and remain part of the home for many years.

the Meridian collection functions as an ‘alphabet of simple elements’ in multiple sizes

a standout feature is the construction of the asymmetric basins

Altherr Désile Park has created a robust system that adapts to diverse requirements

innovative flushing technologies improve hygiene and optimises water consumption

project info: 

name: Meridian

brand: Roca | @roca_global

design studio: Altherr Désile Park | @altherrdesilepark

material: Fineceramic®, FSC-certified wood, metal

recognition: Red Dot Award 2025

The post altherr désile park on updating roca’s meridian bath collection with human-centered luxury appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

In the burn scar left by the 2022 wildfire in Sabinares del Arlanza – La Yecla Natural Park, Spain, Nomad Studio places Socarrado, a circular structure built entirely from charred juniper trunks recovered after the blaze. First conceived for the Uncommissioned Exhibition by Novo Collective, the work becomes a point of collective reflection for the communities of Santo Domingo de Silos, transforming damaged terrain into a site of memory, refuge, and healing. Its unexpected impact on visitors ultimately led local authorities in Burgos to keep the installation embedded in the landscape rather than dismantle it as originally planned.

The 15-meter-wide ring is assembled from blackened juniper trunks stacked concentrically, forming a dark perimeter that still bears the physical trace of fire. Their crowns extend outward across the terrain like the faint outline of a vanished forest, while the circular configuration recalls traditional Castilian enclosures once used to protect livestock. At the center, a three-meter-diameter cavity rises into a small vaulted chamber made from split trunks. A single opening at the apex allows a narrow shaft of light to pierce the dense timber mass.

The vertical weight of the charred wood, the scent of resin, and the subdued lighting inside the structure create an atmosphere that borders on ritual. The space concentrates attention on the surrounding land’s wounds while suggesting the possibility of renewal. ‘Socarrado encourages visitors to be present, value authenticity, and restore their essential bond with the land,’ notes Nomad Studio co-founder Laura Santín.

all images by Nomad, unless stated otherwise

a critical reflection on digital distance and fragile ecologies

Beyond the sculptural form of Socarrado, creative workshop Nomad Studio proposes a broader critique of how contemporary life distances people from their environments. The circle of burnt junipers becomes a counterpoint to a digital world that dilutes attention and distorts our sense of place. Its simplicity insists on pausing, focusing and reconnecting with what cannot be mediated by screens.

Residents, volunteers, local businesses, and partners participated directly in collecting material and assembling the work. Its realization was fully funded through collective contributions and supported by the Municipality of Santo Domingo de Silos, the Natural Park management, SOMACYL, Bombyte, and others.

In March 2026, the site will host ergo IGNIS, a performative action conceived by artist William Kingswood in collaboration with local performers. Designed as a ritual of awareness, the piece responds to the burned landscape and the communal energy that shaped Socarrado. After visiting the site, Kingswood described it as ‘a desolation, a return to nature, a refuge within a hostile landscape.’

Nomad Studio places Socarrado in the burn scar left by the 2022 wildfire in Sabinares del Arlanza, Spain

a circular structure built entirely from charred juniper trunks recovered after the blaze

the work becomes a point of collective reflection | image by Almudena Cadalso

transforming damaged terrain into a site of memory

its impact on visitors led local authorities to keep the installation permanently | image by Almudena Cadalso

assembled from blackened juniper trunks stacked concentrically | image by Almudena Cadalso

a three-meter-diameter cavity rises into a small vaulted chamber made from split trunks | image by Michael Heinrich

the circular configuration recalls traditional Castilian enclosures | image by Almudena Cadalso

a narrow shaft of light pierces the dense timber mass | image by Michael Heinrich

an atmosphere that borders on ritual | image by Almudena Cadalso

crowns extend outward across the terrain like the faint outline of a vanished forest | image by Michael Heinrich

a dark perimeter still bears the physical trace of fire | image by Michael Heinrich

project info:

name: Socarrado

architect: Nomad Studio | @thenomadstudio

location: Sabinares del Arlanza – La Yecla Natural Park, Burgos, Spain

area: approx. 200 square meters

support: Municipality of Santo Domingo de Silos, Park Management Office, SOMACYL, Bombyte, local collaborators

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SIGLA Studio completes Patio House in Cardedeu, Spain, a single-family home that treats time as material and method. Conceived for a young couple with two children leaving behind a cramped, compartmentalized apartment, the project offers generous light, direct outdoor connection, and the ability for the house to evolve with changing family life. Built almost entirely within the limits of a narrow, deep plot, the house forms a protective brick perimeter around two inner patios, described by the architects as ‘lungs’, an organizational strategy that gives the family privacy, cross-ventilation, and a slow, measured relationship to daylight.

The current arrangement places the parents’ suite upstairs and the children in interconnected rooms, but the home can invert this configuration as the family grows older. The ground floor can become the main sleeping area; upper rooms can merge or be divided, requiring no construction, only a rethinking of use.

all images by Marta Vidal

Patios as Lungs: Breathing Light and Fresh Air Into a Compact Site

The idea of designing for permanence guided the studio from the outset. Years after encountering the Georg Kolbe Museum House in Berlin, the Barcelona-based architects carried with them the impression of a place that felt relevant nearly a century after its construction, its garden and architecture coexisting without spectacle. That sense of durability resurfaces in Cardedeu, conceiving the house as an environment to be lived in, aged into, and reinterpreted by future occupants. The strategy echoes references such as Alvar Aalto’s Muuratsalo house, where brick walls define, shelter, and mediate the relationship with nature.

Responding to the tight site, SIGLA Studio established the ground floor as a near-complete footprint, respecting setbacks while shaping an inward-facing domestic world. Two patios, one at the entrance and one by the pool, become the lungs of the home, distributing daylight and fresh air to every room. Around them the team organizes the day-to-day spaces, including an entrance hall, kitchen, dining and living rooms, a full bathroom, laundry, garage, and a multipurpose area. Above, two large rooms can be divided into four, while a central landing offers space for study, reading, or play. 

SIGLA Studio’s Patio House in Cardedeu, Spain

Materials curated to Reveal the Changing Day

Patio House is anchored by its handmade brick, produced at Forn d’Obra Duran, one of Catalonia’s last artisanal kilns. Each brick, shaped from natural clay, slow-dried, and wood-fired, is slightly different, creating a subtle variation across walls, pavements, sills, and copings. Brick forms the structure, the envelope, and the surface underfoot. By choosing a material that earns its patina, the architects reinforce the commitment of the project to longevity and environmental coherence. Indoors, the palette features microcement on the ground floor, natural parquet above, chestnut wood for built-ins, exposed ceramic vaults on the ceilings, and bathrooms finished with glazed tiles. SIGLA Studio treats light as another structuring element. The house receives sun from morning to late afternoon, and the occupants remain constantly aware of its movement, seasonal changes, shifting shadows, and fluctuating intensities. 

this single-family home treats time as material and method

conceived for a young couple with two children

the project offers generous light and direct outdoor connection

the house can evolve with changing family life

built almost entirely within the limits of a narrow, deep plot

the house forms a protective brick perimeter around two inner patios

the organizational strategy gives the family privacy, cross-ventilation, and a measured relationship to daylight

the idea of designing for permanence guided the studio from the outset

SIGLA Studio established the ground floor as a near-complete footprint

the ground floor can become the main sleeping area

the home can invert this configuration as the family grows older

the strategy echoes references such as Alvar Aalto’s Muuratsalo house

the two large rooms can be divided into four

project info:

name: Patio House

architect: SIGLA Studio | @s1gla

location: Cardedeu, Spain

art direction: Mariela Achón

photographer: Marta Vidal | @_martavidal

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