Barcelona-based architecture firm Arquitectura-G has completed an innovative single-story residence called Patio House in Aiguablava, Spain, that reimagines traditional Mediterranean courtyard design for contemporary living. The project transforms domestic life into what the architects describe as "a continuous loop of light, air, and shadow," using the courtyard as a central organizing element that bridges the natural landscape with modern architectural form.
The house's unique design creates a dwelling that simultaneously feels both enclosed and open to its surroundings. The architectural team strategically positioned the structure with a setback from the original property boundary, preserving a protective ring of untouched natural terrain around the entire perimeter. This thoughtful placement allows the building to integrate harmoniously with the existing landscape while maintaining privacy.
At the heart of the design lies a perfectly square courtyard measuring 15 by 15 meters, framed by an elegant colonnade and covered by a roofed porch. The central courtyard features a shallow reflecting pool and three mature trees whose leafy canopies filter sunlight across the paving stones below, creating a living microclimate that changes throughout the day. Above this serene space, a remarkably thin roof plane appears to hover weightlessly above the supporting columns and perimeter walls, unifying all spaces beneath a single continuous horizon line.
The Barcelona-based collective has successfully transformed the traditional archetype of the Mediterranean patio house into a contemporary architectural statement that emphasizes restraint, material clarity, and environmental intelligence. Inside the residence, daily life flows through a continuous corridor that wraps around the central courtyard like a protective embrace. This transitional zone functions as a variable-width porch that gradually shifts in character as it moves around the space, transitioning from narrow passages to generous communal areas including the main living room and kitchen.
Every room in the house opens directly onto the central courtyard through large glazed panels and carefully designed adjustable louver screens, which allow residents to precisely regulate natural light and ventilation throughout the day. This design approach ensures that the courtyard remains the focal point of daily life while providing flexibility for different weather conditions and privacy needs. The project represents a successful fusion of traditional Spanish architectural principles with contemporary design sensibilities, creating a home that is both timeless and thoroughly modern.
