Project: Sabater House
Architecture: Fran Silvestre Arquitectos
Location: Alicante, Spain
Area: 780 m2
Year: 2024
Photo Credits: Fernando Guerra
Geometry That Welcomes Light and Air
Rather than one heavy block, the architects drew long straight lines that bend with soft curves. Each turn frames another courtyard, so interior and exterior touch on several sides at once. Trees old and new stand unharmed, giving shade in summer and gentle movement in winter. As walls stretch, the usable perimeter grows and fresh air crosses the house without mechanical help.
Three Terraced Levels for Daily Rhythm
The lowest level lies partly below grade. It hides the pool basin, technical gear, and a big flexible hall—perfect for cinema, yoga, or play on hot days. One floor up, the main living layer turns its back to strong western sun yet opens wide toward the sea. Because kitchen, lounge, and guest suite sit here, the family can live on this level alone when needed. The upper tier belongs to night. Bedrooms rise just above the pine tops, and a short stair climbs higher to a roof platform that acts as a belvedere for sunrise coffee or sunset quiet.
Bridge Structure, Shade, and Privacy
A single steel beam links the roadside garage with the vertical core, forming a shaded portico that guides visitors from bright street to cool interior. Facing the public edge, solid walls keep daily life unseen; yet service rooms glow from above thanks to narrow skylights that pour down zenithal light. In the middle of the plan, Sabater House proves that circulation can feel bright and calm even without side windows.
Materials, Courtyards, and Human Comfort
White plaster reflects sun by day and moonlight by night. Inside, pale oak floors and soft textiles warm the minimalist shell. Each courtyard edits its own view—sometimes a single trunk, sometimes a slice of distant water—so walking through the house feels like strolling a sequence of outdoor rooms. Curved links soften sharp corners, encouraging slow movement and quiet pause.
How Sabater House Sets a New Standard
By stretching rather than stacking, the dwelling multiplies its contact with nature while preserving privacy where it matters. Its bridge frame invites, its terraced plan adapts, and its courtyards breathe. The result is a residence that pairs strict geometry with an organic spirit, showing how thoughtful design can lift daily life and still sit lightly on the land.
