BOSC HOUSE by joan poca arquitecte carefully inhabits a barcelona forest

in a forest nearby sant pere de vilamajor in barcelona, a timber dwelling realized by joan poca arquitecte discreetly protrudes from in between the trees. completed in 2019, the design of BOSC HOUSE preserves the existing topography and seeks to establish a harmonious symbiosis with the surrounding natural environment.

all images by adrià goula

upon discovering the perfect site for the house, joan poca made the decision to respect the existing landscape as much as possible. the architect therefore left the natural contours of the ground intact and the trail of an old forest path that crosses the plot from north to south, which now passes under the recent intervention.

in line with the concept of creating a subtle architecture, the design avoids a forceful, monolithic form. BOSC HOUSE instead extends and protrudes on various planes and is clad in blackened timber to blend into the forest. raised off the ground, the structure is made up of 43 14 x 14cm laminated timber pillars that rest on metal piles punctured into the ground without the need for earthworks. these pillars continue into the interior, branching out into beams and braces and recreating spaces and widths similar to those found naturally in the forest outside.

the interior is characterized by the timber structure, with the natural grains and color of the wooden structure and CLT panels left exposed. to illuminate the space with soft, diffused light, joan poca has inserted high north-facing windows and openings under eaves to the south. the variation in the positioning of the glazed elements also aims to provide three types of views from the inside: distant views horizontally and through the tree trunks; high views to the tree tops and leaf canopies; and vertical views between the trees to see the sky.

for the interior finishes, the surfaces and furniture pieces avoid becoming a continuous layer indifferent to the morphology of the spaces where they are placed. they grow, adapt and fit to their specific application, much like the varying planes of the exterior. the parquet swirls at the foot of a pillar, a shelf folds in front of the stove, a shelf clings to the structure, and a bench is locked between pillars. overall, this affords the interior with an inviting and organic atmosphere while contributing to the unique character of BOSE HOUSE.