Spanish studio Fran Silvestre Arquitectos has built a minimalist white house in Alicante that winds through the landscape to strengthen its relationship with the outdoors.
Named Sabatel House, this Spanish residence unfolds through a series of intersecting elongated shapes that extend upwards over a 780 square meter site.
Its slim volumes adapt to the natural topography of the site, overcoming large existing trees and creating a series of terraces and courtyards.
Fran Silvestre Arquitectos said the expansive design was inspired by local paths carved into the terrain and leading to the hermitage.
“We were struck by how these winding paths adapt to the terrain and create very interesting architecture,” Fran Silvestre Arquitectos told Dezeen.
“This was the starting point for developing housing on land with similar characteristics in terms of width and slope.”
Sabater House was designed for a client who wanted a home that could accommodate a large family while ensuring “sufficient independence to guarantee privacy for the whole family.”
To achieve this, each floor of the house has a separate program.
The top floor, known as the home’s “night area,” has five bedrooms and bathrooms oriented toward ocean views above the tree line.
Meanwhile, the mid-floor includes an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering views of the garden and outdoor swimming pool.
The living space is laid out in a long and narrow layout, avoiding compactness and opening to the outdoors.
“The project is drawn with a very clear geometry of linear elements connected by soft radii of curvature,” the studio says. “Each piece has a relationship with the environment.”
The lower level includes a pool vanity, wine cellar, storage facilities, and additional bedrooms.
The floors are stacked diagonally and arranged in a zigzag pattern, creating a series of courtyards, terraces, and bridges that further expand the relationship with the outdoors.
“What was unexpected for us about this house is the character of the gaps between the blocks and how it wraps around you,” Fran Silvestre Arquitectos explained.
“The first acts as an access garden towards the front door, and the second acts as one of the main terraces – a versatile space that makes the most of its different orientations.”
Fran Silvestre Arquitectos was founded in 2005 by architect Fran Silvestre. The studio is known for its minimalist style, which is applied throughout Sabater House.
Featuring a signature pared back style, previous projects include the overhanging Hollywood Home and the T-roof home in Valencia.
Photographed by Fernando Guerra.