4 Spectacular Spanish House Styles You Need to Know About
Discover unique building styles from across Spain, reworked for modern living
Is a contemporary cave house an oxymoron? What is the difference between an Art Nouveau and a Noucentista house? What are the three main characteristics of a pagesa house and where can you find one on a map of Spain? Would you define a pazo as a palace? If these questions left you stumped, these four case studies of traditional Spanish house styles will give you some answers – and introduce you to some incredible architecture.
In the early 1960s, 49 per cent of all of the cave homes in Spain were located in Andalusia, especially in Granada, whose capital city alone had 3682 inhabited caves (used as either main or secondary residences) according to the 1950 census, as Urdiales points out in her paper. However, from this period onwards there was a growing sentiment that such dwellings were behind the times, and there followed a gradual withdrawal from and abandonment of the caves.
The next upswing in interest came in the 1990s, when there were “very impressive improvements in this sort of housing: The population regained a positive attitude towards living in caves and there was progressive development in government regulations on this type of housing,” Urdiales says in the article.
Today, energy conservation stands out among the main advantages of cave dwellings. Their isothermal properties mean that the average temperature inside the house usually remains stable at between 59 and 66 degrees Fahrenheit (15°C and 19°C), despite external temperatures of up to 40°C in summer and as low as 0°C in winter in the region.
The next upswing in interest came in the 1990s, when there were “very impressive improvements in this sort of housing: The population regained a positive attitude towards living in caves and there was progressive development in government regulations on this type of housing,” Urdiales says in the article.
Today, energy conservation stands out among the main advantages of cave dwellings. Their isothermal properties mean that the average temperature inside the house usually remains stable at between 59 and 66 degrees Fahrenheit (15°C and 19°C), despite external temperatures of up to 40°C in summer and as low as 0°C in winter in the region.
Therefore, what was previously seen as substandard housing is now branded an environmentally friendly technique. The rehabilitation of cave dwellings has been especially noticeable over the last few years. Not only are they used for permanent housing, but they are now also popular as holiday homes and tourist guest houses.
These photos are of a cave that has recently been renovated by UMMOestudio in the Cordoba region. This house is one of a number of caves that are situated on calcarenite (a type of limestone). It has been renovated to function as tourist accommodation.
In the project description they point out that they focused on creating a dialogue between the architectural and geological elements, “looking for proximity rather than direct contact.”
These photos are of a cave that has recently been renovated by UMMOestudio in the Cordoba region. This house is one of a number of caves that are situated on calcarenite (a type of limestone). It has been renovated to function as tourist accommodation.
In the project description they point out that they focused on creating a dialogue between the architectural and geological elements, “looking for proximity rather than direct contact.”
UMMOestudio provided the house with a new spatial experience which, while foregrounding the natural geology of the site, also offers views to the south through windows that allow for more light and a new sense of space. Materials such as concrete and marble have turned it into a totally contemporary space.
Take a look at material combinations that are a match made in heaven
Take a look at material combinations that are a match made in heaven
Noucentista Houses
Catalonia, Northeastern Spain
“Noucentisme was a social and cultural movement that originated in Catalonia at the beginning of the 20th century … This was a movement with a civilising spirit that aimed to produce a more educated, contemporary European society with a marked Mediterranean character,” says Juli Capella, a Catalan architect and designer.
As an architectural movement, Noucentisme was a reaction to the 19th century’s Art Nouveau movement, exemplified by the work of Gaudí, which was perceived as too baroque and excessive. “The new century brought a breath of fresh air. Noucentisme in architecture resulted in a simplification of forms and decor. It was also inspired by classical and Renaissance styles and vernacular architecture. It was a search for equilibrium, symmetry and simplicity, without losing sight of a certain monumental character,” Capella says.
Catalonia, Northeastern Spain
“Noucentisme was a social and cultural movement that originated in Catalonia at the beginning of the 20th century … This was a movement with a civilising spirit that aimed to produce a more educated, contemporary European society with a marked Mediterranean character,” says Juli Capella, a Catalan architect and designer.
As an architectural movement, Noucentisme was a reaction to the 19th century’s Art Nouveau movement, exemplified by the work of Gaudí, which was perceived as too baroque and excessive. “The new century brought a breath of fresh air. Noucentisme in architecture resulted in a simplification of forms and decor. It was also inspired by classical and Renaissance styles and vernacular architecture. It was a search for equilibrium, symmetry and simplicity, without losing sight of a certain monumental character,” Capella says.
The Noucentisme movement began in the early 20th century. It flourished after the foundation of Mancomunidad, a kind of united government of the four Catalan regions – a major triumph for the political side of the movement, which sought to bolster Catalan culture and identity. It ended in 1923 with the rise of dictator Primo de Rivera, who clamped down on nationalist movements. It then garnered renewed interest with the Rationalism movement of Josep Luís Sert and the GATCPAC, but was cut short again by the Spanish civil war. Still, Noucentisme inspired post-war architects like Raimon Duran i Reynals and Enric Sagnier, and traces of its aesthetic can be seen in their work.
“In Barcelona, Noucentisme found its greatest expression in public buildings such as libraries and schools, most of which are still in use. It was also popular in the agricultural environment with the masia [a kind of farmhouse], which became a real icon [of Catalan national identity].
“Also around Barcelona, in Vallvidrera, Sant Cugat and the villages of Vallés and Maresme, there were dozens of detached noucentista houses, built with either elegant or sober facades and paying special attention to the gardens,” Capella says.
So what sets Noucentisme and its predecessor, Art Nouveau, apart? “It’s easy to distinguish a Noucentista house from an Art Nouveau one,” Capella says. “An Art Nouveau house always features expressive shapes and decorative elements; the composition is asymmetric and mixes different materials and styles of craftsmanship. Noucentista houses can also feature decoration, but something [more simple] like a flat sgraffito on the wall.
“Furthermore, they are often more symmetric and organised [than Art Nouveau houses]. The colours are earthy and the layout is inspired by classic Italian architecture, though there are also elements from [traditional Catalan] architecture. The interior can feature stained glass windows and mosaics, but the decor is for the most part simpler than in an Art Nouveau house.”
“Also around Barcelona, in Vallvidrera, Sant Cugat and the villages of Vallés and Maresme, there were dozens of detached noucentista houses, built with either elegant or sober facades and paying special attention to the gardens,” Capella says.
So what sets Noucentisme and its predecessor, Art Nouveau, apart? “It’s easy to distinguish a Noucentista house from an Art Nouveau one,” Capella says. “An Art Nouveau house always features expressive shapes and decorative elements; the composition is asymmetric and mixes different materials and styles of craftsmanship. Noucentista houses can also feature decoration, but something [more simple] like a flat sgraffito on the wall.
“Furthermore, they are often more symmetric and organised [than Art Nouveau houses]. The colours are earthy and the layout is inspired by classic Italian architecture, though there are also elements from [traditional Catalan] architecture. The interior can feature stained glass windows and mosaics, but the decor is for the most part simpler than in an Art Nouveau house.”
The house in these photos has been restored by Arquitectura-G studio. Located outside of Barcelona, it used to be a summer residence. The aim of the project was not only to renovate it, but also to adapt the house to the needs of a young couple with two children. For this reason, the central part of the house has been emptied and replaced by a stairway with a spectacular glass-floored landing that, besides creating a connection between the two floors, allows more air and light into the space.
Pagesa Houses
Ibiza and Formentera, Balearic Islands
Pagesa, meaning ‘country house’, is the name used on the Balearic Islands, especially on Ibiza and Formentera, to refer to their traditional houses.
Formentera was long uninhabited due to constant plague outbreaks in the Middle Ages and piracy. “In the 18th century, people from Ibiza began to settle on the island, bringing with them their customs and lifestyle, including their architecture,” says Jaume Escandell Guasch, a specialist in cultural heritage at the Formentera Island Council.
The houses on both islands, especially those built in the 18th century, have a common rectangular layout, which opens out from a long central area, called a porxo.
Ibiza and Formentera, Balearic Islands
Pagesa, meaning ‘country house’, is the name used on the Balearic Islands, especially on Ibiza and Formentera, to refer to their traditional houses.
Formentera was long uninhabited due to constant plague outbreaks in the Middle Ages and piracy. “In the 18th century, people from Ibiza began to settle on the island, bringing with them their customs and lifestyle, including their architecture,” says Jaume Escandell Guasch, a specialist in cultural heritage at the Formentera Island Council.
The houses on both islands, especially those built in the 18th century, have a common rectangular layout, which opens out from a long central area, called a porxo.
However, “the main feature of [the pagesas] was their clay coating and small number of windows,” Escandell Guasch says. In the first few decades of the 20th century, windows and doors began to become larger, with white decorative frames.
“[The walls were] made of coarse and small stones and a clay mortar. They were also covered with this clay and whitewashed with lime on the inside while, in some cases, leaving the stone visible on the outside, especially on the side and rear facades.”
“[The walls were] made of coarse and small stones and a clay mortar. They were also covered with this clay and whitewashed with lime on the inside while, in some cases, leaving the stone visible on the outside, especially on the side and rear facades.”
However, there are also some differences between pagesas on Ibiza and Formentera: Escandell Guasch points out that on Formentera the houses tend to be smaller and simpler. Likewise, tiled and sloped roofs – like the one in this photo – became popular on Formentera at the end of 19th century, while flat roofs prevailed on Ibiza.
On Ibiza, roof beams were made of Phoenician juniper, layered with tegell, or Phoenician juniper chips, and dried Posidonia oceanica, the sea grass creates the sea ecosystem around the islands and makes the surrounding water so clear. This was covered with “a layer of burnt soil and ash – which has waterproofing properties – and finally a layer of clay was added to further waterproof the roof and create the pitch that is necessary for rain to run down,” Escandell Guasch says.
The holiday house in these photos, renovated by Marià Castelló, is on Formentera. Here we see a porxo under the pitched roof behind the white facade. This white feature was the first thing added during the renovation.
On Ibiza, roof beams were made of Phoenician juniper, layered with tegell, or Phoenician juniper chips, and dried Posidonia oceanica, the sea grass creates the sea ecosystem around the islands and makes the surrounding water so clear. This was covered with “a layer of burnt soil and ash – which has waterproofing properties – and finally a layer of clay was added to further waterproof the roof and create the pitch that is necessary for rain to run down,” Escandell Guasch says.
The holiday house in these photos, renovated by Marià Castelló, is on Formentera. Here we see a porxo under the pitched roof behind the white facade. This white feature was the first thing added during the renovation.
“The entrance to the central part, or porxo, of this house was located on the southeastern facade. At one of the two ends, there was a large fireplace and surrounding area that served as a kitchen. There were two bedrooms in the back of the porxo,” Escandell Guasch says.
Marià Castelló left the original stone exposed in parts of the house, and kept the traditional whitewashed interiors in others. She also added some nuances: Polished concrete floors, micro cement coatings in the kitchen and the bathroom as well as the concrete in the slanted ceilings of the rooms and in the iroko woodwork, which harmonises perfectly with the traditional architecture of the house.
Marià Castelló left the original stone exposed in parts of the house, and kept the traditional whitewashed interiors in others. She also added some nuances: Polished concrete floors, micro cement coatings in the kitchen and the bathroom as well as the concrete in the slanted ceilings of the rooms and in the iroko woodwork, which harmonises perfectly with the traditional architecture of the house.
Galician Pazos
Galicia, Northeastern Spain
The Galician pazo is a type of civil architecture that appeared in the 18th century. It is simply defined as a large house with adjacent lands used for agriculture or wine production. It usually consisted of a large manor house and a series of adjoining dwellings for the workers.
“These houses were aimed at production, with most of their land being used for economic purposes. They are not palaces … they were simply production centres where people also lived,” says Adrián Martín Prieto of the local architecture studio Aestudio, which was responsible for part of the renovation of the Pazo Faramello.
Galicia, Northeastern Spain
The Galician pazo is a type of civil architecture that appeared in the 18th century. It is simply defined as a large house with adjacent lands used for agriculture or wine production. It usually consisted of a large manor house and a series of adjoining dwellings for the workers.
“These houses were aimed at production, with most of their land being used for economic purposes. They are not palaces … they were simply production centres where people also lived,” says Adrián Martín Prieto of the local architecture studio Aestudio, which was responsible for part of the renovation of the Pazo Faramello.
The Pazo Faramello complex consists of several buildings staggered on terraces along the Tinto River. This complex was somewhat unusual because it was used for paper production. The building on the left, closest to the river, was once a water mill used in the production process. The house attached to it once housed servants’ quarters. Set slightly apart from the other two (see next image) is the manor house, which sits on the highest terrace.
“They were basically small population centres surrounded by walls. Other houses that were related in some way to the productive activity were often built near the pazos, so that the whole territory ended up being a small settlement. In time, [these surrounding settlements] came to be called by the name of the pazo itself. That is what happened here – this pazo gave birth to the population of the village of Faramello,” Martín Prieto says.
“Once the productive activity started being consolidated, the pazo houses were able to allocate some area of their land to recreational activities, including gardening. This started in the 19th century, and that was what happened at Pazo Faramello,” Martín Prieto says. This complex also features a chapel, which was relatively common on such farms.
Restoring the garden was one of the main aspects of Aestudio’s restoration of the pazo.
Take a look at these simple ways to create a calming garden
Restoring the garden was one of the main aspects of Aestudio’s restoration of the pazo.
Take a look at these simple ways to create a calming garden
Architecturally, pazos were stone buildings. “The manor houses were made of ashlar granite, and the other houses were built of stone of lesser quality. There were two masonry walls that were filled with soil so they could last longer. When pazos are renovated today, the mortar is often removed to bring out the appearance of the original stone. [In both manor houses and lesser houses], the supporting structures were made of chestnut, and the beams, platforms, bridges and roof were made of the same wood, [which is common] in the area. The roofs were covered with ceramic tiles,” Martín Prieto says.
“Today, pazos are rarely used as main residences because even small pazos are difficult to maintain: No matter how small they are, they still cover at least six hectares. That’s why it’s becoming more and more common for owners to renovate pazos for business purposes, as wineries or event halls for conferences, weddings and so on,” Martín Prieto says. This was the case here: The Pazo Faramello now serves as a wedding and event venue.
Read more:
Houzz Forum: State of Indian Architecture Today and Tomorrow
Tell us:
Just like the unique Spanish building styles, what traditional Indian architectural styles do you like? Discuss in the Comments below.
“Today, pazos are rarely used as main residences because even small pazos are difficult to maintain: No matter how small they are, they still cover at least six hectares. That’s why it’s becoming more and more common for owners to renovate pazos for business purposes, as wineries or event halls for conferences, weddings and so on,” Martín Prieto says. This was the case here: The Pazo Faramello now serves as a wedding and event venue.
Read more:
Houzz Forum: State of Indian Architecture Today and Tomorrow
Tell us:
Just like the unique Spanish building styles, what traditional Indian architectural styles do you like? Discuss in the Comments below.
Southern Spain
Caves are the most basic shelters imaginable, but they can be much more modern than one would think. A new trend in Spain is equipping them with all the conveniences a modern homeowner could want.
The use of caves as housing “developed mostly during the 19th century and first half of the 20th,” says María Eugenia Urdiales, a permanent professor of Human Geography at Granada University. This was due to waves of migration and the resulting growth in urban population. “In Andalusia … [troglodysm] continues with some ups and downs to the present day,” Urdiales says in a peer-reviewed article in the Scripta Nova journal.