sergio sebastián's 'house JI' reinterprets the traditional model of housing in the desert

spain-based architecture studio, sergio sebastián, reinterprets the traditional model of housing in the desert area of monegros, building a hidden house that is protected against, yet utilises, the elements. ‘house JI’ joins the historical centre of the village by trying to maintain the unity of the whole, as well as an ambient balance between existing houses.

sergio sebastián, reinterprets the traditional model of housing in the desert
images courtesy of sergio sebastián

square windows punctuate ‘house JI’ connecting the interior with the exterior

behind the walls, sergio sebastian architects aim to create a village inside a village, with every function of the house itself, and space of every resident, associated in a constructive way. the streets and squares outside fold and modulate themselves in function of their privacy and use, regulating the distance between houses and the surrounding wall, so that every one of them has an extension towards its own exterior space.

‘house JI’ creates a village inside a village

the streets and squares outside fold and modulate themselves in function of their privacy and use

the union of these monofunctional modules is established by a common space that links them, inside and outside. inside, these ‘streets’ and ‘squares’ host the shared living spaces — such as a living room, hall, play room — in a single construction whose wall apertures are opened completely to the exterior releasing the space between houses.

wall apertures are opened completely to the exterior releasing the space between houses

the house hopes to dignify its caption and translation to the ground, through a scenographic system of drainage features that stock it for the irrigation net of the garden. surrounding the roof, extended pieces of guttering filter water from the roof into the green areas surrounding the property.

extended guttering uses rain water for green areas

the gabled roof collects rain water

the house hopes to dignify its caption and translation to the ground

every function of the house itself, and space of every resident, associated in a constructive way