Project: Tmolo House
Architects: PYO arquitectos (Ophélie Herranz Lespagnol, Paul Galindo Pastre)
Development design collaborator: Carlos MÃnguez Carrasco
Structure: Juan Rey (mecanismo)
Building contractor: Roberto Labra RodrÃguez
Quantity surveyor: Fernando Suárez Otero
Location: Granda de Abajo, Concejo de Parres, Asturias, Spain
Area: 414 m2
Photo Credits: Miguel de Guzmán
Tmolo House, designed by Pyo Arquitectos, transforms an old farmhouse converted into a holiday home for a young family with four daughters. Located in Granda de Abajo, Spain, the house underwent extensive renovation after being untouched for over five decades.
Extensive Renovation
Before its conversion, the farmhouse needed a complete overhaul to meet contemporary needs. The property included two main structures: the main house and a stable. The main house was in poor condition, overgrown with vegetation, and required numerous repairs to become livable. The stone and timber structure of the stable had deteriorated significantly, necessitating the replacement of most of the walls.
Maintaining Architectural Integrity
Despite the farm’s crumbling state, the architects preserved the original position and materiality of the architecture. They reconstructed the main house facade with white concrete and local stone. Inside the main house, an insulating lining forms the new load-bearing structure, reinforcing the old stone walls and providing thermal insulation. The original stone and brick weatherboarding of the façade was replaced with a monolithic wall of insulating concrete that mimics the former texture of timber. Deep recesses house the windows, which can be screened behind large wooden shutters, referencing stable doors.
Innovative Interior Design
The main house clings to a steep south-facing mountain slope, with a 2-meter difference in level between the north and south façades. The staggered arrangement of the ground floor levels creates a sequence of connected spaces, avoiding conventional interior partitions. Inside, light metal pillars replace supporting walls, opening up a large triple-height living room that allows daylight to flood the space. A generous metal staircase provides access to different rooms.
Unique Blend of Materials
A mix of white concrete and iron beams coexists with well-worn stone, weather-beaten wood, and local stone. The interior space revolves around four diamond-shaped elements that run vertically through the house, symbolizing the four muses and representing the client’s four daughters. On the first floor, two bedrooms connect through a double-height space with views over the valley, leading to the main bedroom corner terrace.
Conversion of the Stable
In the stable, the haylofts on the upper floor were converted into bedrooms, freeing up space on the ground floor for a large central lounge that serves multiple purposes.
Conclusion
Tmolo House seamlessly blends modern design with traditional architecture, creating a charming and functional holiday home. This old farmhouse converted into a contemporary retreat by Pyo Arquitectos preserves its historic character while adapting it for modern family life.
