Project: New Construction of a Row House
Architecture: Vallribera Noray Arquitectes
Architects: Llorenç Vallribera Farriol, Aleix Gil Noray
Location: Cornellà de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
Area: 159 m2
Year: 2022
Photo Credits: José Hevia
Construction of a Row House in Cornellà de Llobregat began during the pandemic, when a family realized they needed a home that could replace their lost weekend escapes to nature. On a quiet street that still preserves small-town character, they envisioned a refuge within the city where everyday life could feel like a vacation. The project responds to that vision, combining traditional methods with bioclimatic strategies to create a warm, efficient, and flexible residence.
Site Strategy and Outdoor Connection
The architects set the house back from the street to maximize privacy and create functional outdoor areas. This move reduced the built surface while allowing depth across the site. As a result, the design includes a south-facing outdoor space, a porch, and parking for a camper van.
The ground floor houses the public zones: a living room, kitchen, and dining room connected to a rear garden and outdoor seating area. At the entry, an adaptable porch-greenhouse functions as a garage, a game room, or even a workshop, demonstrating how flexibility was built into the plan.
Private Rooms and Layout
The first floor contains private spaces: two bedrooms, each with its own terrace, a study, and a bathroom. This arrangement ensures independence and comfort for both parents and child while maintaining compact efficiency.
Midway through the design, the clients requested ceilings that recalled their summer homes. The architects responded by using traditional Mallorcan-style ceramic vaults supported by exposed concrete beams. This structural system avoids interior pillars, allowing open, fluid spaces.
Materials and Interior Atmosphere
Construction of a Row House in Cornellà de Llobregat emphasizes authenticity in materiality. Rustic ceramic vaults become central design features, complemented by parquet flooring inside and pine on outdoor terraces. The porch-greenhouse walls are built with exposed hollow brick, and precast concrete pavers underline its indoor-outdoor character.
The mix of materials establishes a warm yet modern atmosphere, where craftsmanship and structural honesty play a visible role in shaping the home’s identity.
Bioclimatic and Sustainable Design
Bioclimatic strategies drive the performance of the house. The north-side garden acts as a summer patio, while the south-facing greenhouse serves as a winter patio. When closed, the greenhouse traps heat to warm the high-inertia brick, tiles, and pavers; when opened, it ensures natural cross-ventilation from garden to entry.
Insulation thickness and structural inertia stabilize indoor temperature throughout the year. Moreover, solar protection elements—awnings, blinds, and façade slats—reduce heat gain in summer. Minimal mechanical systems, including a small heat pump and a wood stove, keep energy use low. Rainwater harvesting from the roof further reduces environmental impact.
Conclusion
Construction of a Row House in Cornellà de Llobregat demonstrates how traditional techniques, thoughtful planning, and sustainable strategies can create a home that is efficient, flexible, and deeply personal. For the clients, the house recalls the feeling of summer vacations; for the architects, it represents the fulfillment of designing spaces where families can live happily and sustainably.
