House of Blas

Alberto Campo Baeza – Casa de Blas, Sevilla La Nueva, Madrid, Spain, 2000

“This house is a response to its location. On top of a hill southwest of Madrid with a beautiful view to the north, towards the mountains.
A platform for the occupants to sit on is created by constructing a concrete box, similar to a podium, on which is placed a transparent glass case delicately covered by a light and simple white painted steel structure.
The concrete box, rooted in the earth, houses a housing program with a clear outline of the service band behind and serviced spaces in front. Inside, square voids open up to frame the landscape that seems to recede.
The glass box, on the platform, is a viewpoint that is scaled from the house. Inside, the landscape is emphasized, and therefore seems to come closer to the viewer.
The glass box without carpentry under the metal structure, almost approaches the edge of the north facade and draws from the south facade to be in shadow. Below, the cave as a space for shelter. Above the cabin, the urn, as a space for contemplation of nature. The composition of the supports, with a double symmetry, helps to give a static and serene character to the house.
This house wants to be a literal translation of the idea of ​​the tectonic box on the stereotomic box. As a distillation of the most essential of architecture. Once again more with less.”
Alberto Campo Baeza