El Refugio is nestled in a low-density area, embodying the essence of a country home where open spaces and a relaxed, unstructured environment reign supreme. This project unfolds in two stages: the first envisioned as a secondary house, designed not only for functionality but also as a haven for relaxation. Over time, it transformed into a vibrant home and central hub for a family eager to embrace simplicity and nature.

The design approach for both stages is grounded in rational principles that respond directly to the project's context. The initial construction, a 250m² house, functioned like an apartment with an expansive garden. Elevated one meter off the ground, it gives the impression of a single floating piece. Both stages of the house are lifted from the ground, a hallmark of the contemplative architecture we practice, creating a diffuse boundary that is spatially fluid yet marks a stance of transience.

The composition revolves around a central axis that organizes various spaces and serves as a starting point, projecting the interior towards the exterior. This central axis allows for a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor areas, making the exterior an integral part of the house’s composition.

The first stage of the house is surrounded by a transitional space protected by a second skin, maximizing natural ventilation and lighting efficiency. This design provides total privacy inside the house while maintaining complete openness from the interior to the exterior. The expansion also follows passive bioclimatic principles to control sun and rain exposure. Wide galleries shield the house's expansive glazed surfaces from direct climate impact, fostering distant views and integrating the exterior actively into the interior.

In the second stage, the design adapts to a new flexible way of living. A key premise during the expansion was to reinforce the connection with nature, one of the greatest assets of the space: a direct dialogue between inside and outside. The expansion respects and incorporates the advantages of a centennial Cupesí tree, ensuring the preservation of most of the exterior space, adorned with beautiful gardens. Based on these principles, the house expands into a T-shape, with a bare, rational, and rhythmic structure that complements the existing project without competing with it.

The expansion features a flat roof, creating a lounge area that captures the stunning surrounding views. Protected from the sun by the 40-meter diameter canopy of the Cupesí tree, this space becomes a haven for contemplation and enjoyment. These passive climate control measures keep the house cool without artificial cooling and ensure ample natural light without glare.

The house exudes clarity and concreteness, embracing the principle that less is more. Its simplicity and warmth are achieved through the use of concrete, wood, and the harmonious interplay of light, ventilation, and transitional spaces—capturing the soul of the project.