ARCES HOUSE | ÁBATON

This newly built chalet in Aravaca is conceived as a response to a rational architectural image, typical of the modern movement, and stands out as a sustainable example within its urban context. The home is rooted in the studio’s sustainable foundations, seeking maximum efficiency through innovative construction solutions—such as a CLT timber structure—a layout that allows cross-ventilation through interior courtyards, and low-impact HVAC systems.

Pioneering timber construction in Spain and established as the firm with the most wooden-structure homes nationally, this project combines sustainability with a careful attention to detail to achieve architecture that is more responsible, more timeless, and of greater spatial quality.

The house is organised around a circular, open path designed to encourage family interaction and connection. Two differentiated zones mark the public and private uses of the home. The first zone—living room, dining room and kitchen—is organised around a planted courtyard. This courtyard functions as a green core around which the dwelling is arranged, supplying light, cross-ventilation and a direct connection with nature. Landscaping, an essential element in our projects, is integrated from the very start of the architectural design — not as decorative backdrop, but as an active part of the living space, contributing balance, biodiversity and well-being.

The living room is divided into two distinct areas, dominated by a bespoke shelving unit which doesn’t isolate but acts as a visual filter—highlighting each space while giving it a sculptural, singular quality.

The CLT timber structure becomes an essential part of the architectural language, marking a clear and sustainable identity. Facing a large southern meadow, the living room fully opens to the outdoors through large windows that hide in the wall, converting it into a generous porch. It maximises daylight year-round and harnesses the sun’s incidence to naturally warm the interior during winter. Spaces are articulated through simple volumes, scaled humanely and kindly, where the exposed CLT structure provides warmth, texture and coherence to the whole.

The kitchen, custom-designed by our team, is conceived as the heart of the home: a space meant to share, live and enjoy daily life. Glass-and-steel sliding doors separate, when needed, the space from the informal dining area to allow maximum versatility and openness. The layout, furniture and materials combine functionality and aesthetics with precision, meeting practical needs without sacrificing warmth and character. A secondary dining area opens directly to the interior courtyard, establishing a constant relationship with greenery. The large hidden joinery allows natural light to flood the space. Once again, landscaping is integrated as an essential part of this new-build chalet in Aravaca.

The dining room lies in continuity with the courtyard, linked via a large sliding system that disappears into the wall, blurring the boundary between interior and exterior. The connection to the courtyard introduces natural light and allows cross-ventilation. The dining room thus becomes a flexible place, actively part of the internal circulation.

Throughout the home the goal is to connect with and eliminate boundaries to the exterior. A curated New Perennial landscaping scheme—maintaining colour and texture all year long—voices a dialogue with the natural interior materials, the exposed CLT timber structure and the expressive interior-design pieces.