This article explores the design and construction of a contemporary Spanish farmhouse, blending traditional elements with modern aesthetics. The project, located near San Enrique, was commissioned by an Argentinian polo player and his Filipina wife, who sought a unique home that reflected their love for the sport and their desire for a family-friendly space. The architects, Claudia Garay and Icíar Gómez-Zuloaga, aimed to create a harmonious structure that seamlessly integrated into the Andalusian landscape.
The farmhouse's exterior is characterized by its low-slung profile and earthy reddish-brown palette, inspired by the soil on which it sits. The design draws inspiration from traditional cortijo Andaluz, a type of farmhouse often built around an internal courtyard. The architects carefully considered the surrounding environment, taking into account the rolling countryside, polo fields, and herds of ponies, as well as the views towards the sea and mountains.
One of the key design elements is the series of eight interlocking volumes, which branch out to create a sequence of terraces. This layout is shaped by the passing of the day, with the more public spaces, such as the large sitting room and light-filled hallway, facing east to capture morning light. The dining room, kitchen, and generous dining terrace, along with two of the house's five bedrooms, face west to take advantage of luminous sunsets.
The building is entered via an arched, indoor-outdoor hallway featuring a mural of hand-painted tiles that reflects the local flora and fauna. The hallway leads to a courtyard, which serves as a traditional stable block, and then to the main entrance hall. The interior design incorporates a sunken basement, which houses behind-the-scenes tasks such as laundry, staff quarters, storage, and a plant room.
The corridors connecting the ground floor volumes are generously proportioned and laid with reclaimed French stone, creating a strong feature in the house. The corridors feature barrel-vaulted ceilings, which offer a softening contrast to the angular exterior lines. The design also includes communal spaces, such as lobbies and entrance hallways, with high vaulted ceilings, and bedrooms with more humble pitched roofs.
The color palette of the farmhouse is a thoughtful dialogue between inside and out, with walls largely limewashed to give the building a softer quality. A palette of greens, browns, and reds is woven throughout, from the teal-painted kitchen to the antique suzani draped over a hallway table. The furniture, including bamboo chairs from a Spanish antique dealer, enhances the sunset light in the west-facing rooms.
The architects, Claudia and Icíar, have reframed their approach to oversee both the architecture and the interiors of their projects, aiming to provide a way of living that goes beyond the physical structure. The owners of the farmhouse, who travel between their homes around the world, have expressed their satisfaction with the final result, as the wife has found a place where she feels at home.
The article concludes by highlighting the successful fusion of traditional and modern elements in the design of the farmhouse, creating a unique and harmonious living space that reflects the owners' lifestyle and love for the Andalusian landscape.
