Casa dels Estels

Casa dels Estels is a minimal home located in Albal, Spain, designed by ENDALT Arquitectes. The project’s material narrative unfolds through what might be called “selective archaeology” – a methodical process of distinguishing authentic heritage from misguided additions. The architects approached the rammed earth walls and solid brick construction with surgical precision, removing the damaged pallissa and poorly conceived bathroom addition while preserving the spatial DNA that had evolved over generations. This wasn’t mere preservation but rather a form of material curation, recognizing that not all age equals authenticity.

The most compelling transformation occurs in the half-andana, where agricultural storage space becomes a contemplative workspace. This programmatic shift – from housing livestock feed to nurturing intellectual pursuits – demonstrates how vernacular architecture can accommodate contemporary life without losing its essential character. The custom metal staircase, incorporating a reused courtyard stone, exemplifies this dialogue between old and new materials, creating what the architects describe as “a bridge between past and present function.”

The project’s material palette reads like a love letter to regional craft traditions. Recovered terracotta tiles migrate from roof to floor, their journey marking not deterioration but renewal. Meanwhile, newly introduced glazed ceramics in the kitchen and bathrooms don’t compete with historical materials but complement them through carefully chosen hues – yellows that echo irrigation ponds, greens that reference original baseboards. This chromatic strategy demonstrates how contemporary interventions can amplify rather than overshadow vernacular character.

Beyond its immediate context, Casa dels Estels participates in a broader movement toward what might be termed “material consciousness” in contemporary architecture. Projects like Anna Heringer’s bamboo constructions in Bangladesh or Hassan Fathy’s mud brick villages share this commitment to local materials and traditional techniques, though each responds to distinct cultural contexts. The Valencia renovation’s success lies in its refusal to romanticize rural life while simultaneously refusing to abandon its wisdom.

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