ramon esteve adorns valencian hillside house with yellow onyx stone slabs

located on the top of a hillside, in one of the most established housing states of valencia, ramon esteve designs the house of the quarry, adorned with yellow onyx ‘neve d’or’ stone slabs. the layout of the house features a set of overlapping boxes surrounded by green, valencian mountains. the house is settled within the landscape using an empty space that isolates itself from any direct contact, creating a universe of its own that hosts its inhabitants.

the terrace and pool have been designed as an extension of the interior that connects the house with the landscape
all images © mariela apollonio

esteve designed the lower part of the house in a way to integrate it with the ground, while the upper part opens up to two opposing sights: on one side, the views of the sea looking onto the horizon filtered by the swimming pool, and on the other, panoramic views of the mediterranean forest. the top floor, designed as a fluid space, contains all the day-use areas. additionally, the terrace and pool have been designed as an extension of the interior that connects the house with the landscape.

the openness of the house is reinforced by a glass-front façade, framing the panoramic view of the sea

the openness of the house is reinforced by a glass-front façade, framing the panoramic view of the sea. by opening the views, the house of the quarry achieves a light and transparent sensation, creating a quiet environment and connecting with the horizon. the use of raw materials displays the house as a pure structure. a hive of in situ white concrete is pierced by a central staircase of backlit yellow onyx neve d’or, that joins the house with its onyx steps. the overhang steps are expressed as large solid onyx boards that gently emit light.

an open ceiling-concept hangs above the pool area, offering infinite views of the sky

the swimming pool is a prism that extends at heights, overhanging the bedrooms and the gym

these pieces of volcanic onyx almost become sculptures, providing the bedrooms with a canvas to admire the aesthetic qualities of the natural stone

details of the yellow onyx staircase

the raw material acts as a centerpiece in the bedroom

the en-suite bedroom

the black marbled bathroom uses linear lights

the layout of the house features a set of overlapping boxes surrounded by green, valencian mountains

house elevation plan

project info:

architect: ramón esteve
collaborating architects: víctor ruiz, anna bosca, maría martí, concheta romani
collaborators: tudi soriano, benedetta chicchini
technical architect: emilio pérez
constructor: redon & mena
structures: prodein proyectos de ingeniería s.l.
installation engineering: juan pedro jiménez monteagudo, david gimeno asensio, vicente garcía garcía
marble and onyx supply: petra the stone atelier
project: 2015
completion date: 2017
surface: 610 sqm
photography: mariela apollonio