Set in Spain’s picturesque Alhorines Valley, this modern villa takes its cue from the Passivhaus movement

Inspired by Passivhaus principles, this contemporary villa near Valencia makes self-sufficiency look more seductive than ever

The Alhorines Valley, known for its vineyards, olive groves and forests of poplar, cypress and pine, is a land of abundance. Its agreeable landscape and climate have made it a haven not just for flora and fauna, but for one architect looking to redefine the image of eco houses. ‘This project is very important to me because it firmly follows my personal interpretation of what architecture should be,’ explains Ramón Esteve, whose eponymous architecture studio is based in the nearby city of Valencia. For Ramón, this building is not just a passion project, but a home that speaks to his values.

After falling for the unquestionable beauty of this green stretch of the Spanish countryside, he was inspired to build something that honoured the principles of low-energy living formulated by Germany’s Passivhaus Institut. That meant a meticulous attention to efficiency and, where possible, self-sufficiency. There are solar panels on the roof to generate power and underfloor heating driven by a biomass boiler, while rainwater is harvested under the house. Everything is centrally and automatically controlled in order to make the most of every natural resource.

The technology may be cutting-edge, but from afar, this home could not look simpler. Developed from the archetypal idea of a shelter, it cuts an iconic silhouette with its classic pitched roof and boxy form. ‘It is,’ explains Ramón, ‘a traditional hut reduced to an abstract image.’ Spread over just one 400-square-metre floor, the high-end bungalow’s concrete body contains one large openplan porch with a living and dining area, which is intersected by seven wooden boxes, each containing an individual room – kitchen, snug, three bedrooms, bathroom and separate toilet.

The use of two distinct building materials lends the structure a visual cleanliness, with the board-formed concrete walls mimicking the grain and texture of the pine. Furniture choices are kept similarly low key and uniform, using neutral shades and natural materials that keep the focus firmly on the views from the giant windows, which punctuate every space. ‘The homogenous interior, when combined with the pine wood, generates a composition that harmonises with the landscape,’ explains Ramón. Environmentally and aesthetically, this is a home that aims to tread lightly and respectfully, but still manages to make a big impression. It’s the definition of aspirational eco living. ramonesteve.com

NEUTRAL SHADES AND NATURAL MATERIALS KEEP THE FOCUS ON THE VIEWS FROM THE WINDOWS

‘THE HOMOGENOUS INTERIOR COMBINED WITH THE PINE WOOD HARMONISES WITH THE LANDSCAPE’

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Porch Set in Spain’s Alhorines Valley, this home, with its open-sided entertaining area, is more than a passion project for architect and owner Ramón Esteve

Above right From the outside, the house cuts a traditional shape, with its boxy silhouette and pitched roof Portrait Ramón Esteve, architect and owner Living room In the snug, cushions from Hay decorate the bespoke sofa, which was designed especially for this space by Ramón. The table lamp is the ‘Cestita’ and the floor lamp the ‘TMC’, both by Miguel Milá for Santa & Cole

Porch Open to the elements on two sides, this covered living and dining area’s chairs, sofas and tables were all custom-made from the same pine wood that has been used to clad the walls

Kitchen From the cabinetry to the table and chairs, which are bespoke designs by Ramón, everything in this space has been specifically created to blend seamlessly with the architecture. The cactus-shaped vases on the open shelving are by Lina Cofán for Hay