A Modern Barn Studio Designed for Contemporary Living | Casa Granero
#countryhouse #homedesign #architecture
A Modern Barn Studio Designed for Contemporary Living | Casa Granero
Barn Studio House is the first phase of a larger residential project designed to evolve over time. Planned on a spacious rural plot, this structure will eventually be complemented by a main house annex, while the property will also include a repurposed rail wagon converted into a unique guest room.
The architectural concept draws inspiration from the traditional agricultural barns commonly found in rural landscapes. Historically designed for storage, these structures are reinterpreted here as a contemporary domestic–industrial space that blends simplicity, functionality, and modern living.
The final form of the building results from studies of archetypal barn typologies. The chosen solution is a compact rectangular volume crowned by a longitudinal gable roof—an iconic silhouette that connects the building to its rural context while expressing a modern architectural language.
The program is organized across two floors. On the ground floor, the interior includes an entrance hall, a guest toilet, a storage room, and a spacious open-plan area that integrates the dining room and kitchen. This central living space extends outward to covered outdoor areas, which connect seamlessly with a raised terrace that wraps around three sides of the building.
This outdoor platform enhances the relationship between the architecture and the surrounding landscape, creating multiple opportunities for outdoor living and relaxation.
On the upper floor, the layout includes two bedrooms, a generous bathroom, and a large terrace overlooking the landscape. The design of the openings, combined with sliding partitions, allows the bedrooms, bathroom, and terrace to remain visually and physically connected. This flexible configuration maximizes panoramic views and creates a strong spatial continuity between interior and exterior spaces.
The building also responds carefully to the challenging climate conditions of the Sierra de Guadarrama. To protect the structure from harsh weather, the openings on the north, east, and west façades are shielded by shutters finished with the same material as the exterior envelope—mini-wave metal sheets that reinforce the building’s industrial aesthetic.
In contrast, the southern façade features a large curtain wall sheltered by a narthex-like space. This transparent surface frames the surrounding landscape, capturing the changing atmosphere of the mountains and becoming a quiet witness to the passing of time and seasons.
Structurally, the building is supported by metal columns and reinforced concrete slabs. The brick enclosure and concrete structure are insulated externally with rock wool and clad in anthracite-colored metal sheet panels, ensuring durability and thermal performance.
The outdoor terrace, finished with synthetic wood decking, rests on a lightweight metal structure that complements the building’s overall construction system.
Through its careful reinterpretation of a traditional rural form, Barn Studio House demonstrates how simple architectural archetypes can be transformed into contemporary spaces that balance practicality, comfort, and a deep connection with the surrounding landscape.
Architects: Alberich-Rodríguez Arquitectos - https://alberich-rodriguez.com/
Photographers: Imagen Subliminal - https://imagensubliminal.com/en/home-en/
Manufacturers: Stûv 16-up by Stûv
Manufacturers: BOSSINI
Manufacturers: Cortizo
Manufacturers: INDA
Manufacturers: PLADUR
Manufacturers: Santos
Location: Castillejo de Mesleón, Spain
Project Year: 2021
Category: Private Houses
Primary Building Material: Steel
Building Area: 174 m2
#ModernBarn #barnhouse #modernarchitecture #ruralhome #contemporaryarchitecture
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