The sustainable loft in the Sierra de Gredos
The **Ábaton architecture studio** has revived a stable with the utmost respect for its surroundings, a valley that slopes down in terraces of grass, framed by forests of oak and chestnut trees. From the outside it looks exactly what it was: a space to store cattle. Inside, on the other hand, it looks like a refined New York loft thanks to the high ceilings, the resounding lines and a simple interior design, without fanfare.
The furniture combines old Nordic pieces (such as the armchairs and dining chairs by Hans Wegner) with others of Chinese origin (an opium table made of washed Elm wood) or some troughs that have been converted into bathroom sinks.
Now it is a privileged home that has surprised the media around the world. This is demonstrated by the wonderful report made by ** Kirsten Dirksen for Faircompanies **, a website specializing in “eco-news” and a community that offers specialized tools in “sustainable culture”.
In the video we can see this house, with the sound of birds and cowbells in the background, as well as the explanations of the architects of the design and the wise comments of José, the local cowboy. The house is located in the vicinity of El Guijo de Santa Bárbara, in the foothills of the Sierra de Gredos , in a completely protected environment populated by cork oaks, holm oaks, oaks and chestnut trees.
The interior structure has been maintained with the mezzanine in which the hay for the animals was kept. Huge windows have been introduced that collect sunlight and heat the interior. An underground spring has been transformed into the inner courtyard fountain , and that same spring, which runs under the house, becomes, in front of the main façade, a spacious pool. All this allows you to enjoy the symbiosis created between nature and the remodeled barn.
The walls have the original stone and local oak has been used. The use of limestone on the floors throughout the house provides unity and aesthetic coherence . Large open spaces allow the creation of different related but independent environments. Carlos Alonso, one of the members of Ábaton, points out: "We conceive the design of each project adapting ourselves and respecting the peculiarity of the terrain, the views, the sunlight and the privacy of each house as much as possible".
In the report, José, the cowboy, says it very clearly: “Here we live in prehistory” . And this house shows how they can be integrate archaic architectural wisdom with technology , design and current materials.