In the limited space of a small tool shed in the village of Mutxamel, Alicante in Spain, architect Sonia Miralles Mud created a delightful country house. Inspired by a nearby hill, she designed a small one bedroom home which became part of the rural landscape.
The narrow rectangular structure is partially concealed under an artificial hill, formed by earth and the variety of herbs and aromatic shrubs planted on the sloping roof, which serves as a, optimum spot from which to survey the surrounding landscape and doubles as insulation for the simple home. The reinforced concrete of the structure with irregular openings ensures natural ventilation and a floor to ceiling window merges the interior with the rural site.
Local materials of sand and gravel were used on the facade to harmonize with the colours of the landscape and allow the home to ‘disappear’ amongst the surrounding olive trees. The energy saving interior is of galvanized steel, lacquered MDF and stone, furnished a style which allows for flexibility, a dwelling from which to enjoy the joys of nature in this sensitive conversion project.
