- Project: House Jacaranda
- Architect: Ramon Esteve Studio
- Location: Spain, Valencia
- Year: 2024
- Area: 1065 m2
- Photography: Mariela Apollonio
A Mediterranean Fortress and Refuge
House Jacaranda is a contemporary residence in Valencia defined by a bold contrast between heavy, stone-clad walls and luminous, airy interiors. Designed by Ramón Esteve Estudio, the house combines the essence of a fortress with the intimacy of a refuge, where mass and light coexist in perfect balance.
Site and Setting
The villa is located in a quiet residential enclave on the outskirts of Valencia. The plot’s clear geometry and gentle topography allow the home to integrate seamlessly into its landscape while maximizing framed views of the Mediterranean horizon. Privacy and openness work together, giving residents the ability to enjoy their surroundings without compromise.
Architectural Composition
The house is structured around three primary design moves:
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Massive stone walls anchor the home to its site, creating a sense of permanence and security.
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White concrete slabs and steel planes form elongated cantilevers, projecting outward to provide deep shade and visual lightness.
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Interplay of light and shadow is orchestrated through courtyards, overhangs, and glazing, ensuring that the architecture transforms subtly throughout the day.
Interiors and Atmosphere
Inside, the atmosphere is defined by calmness and clarity. Pale wood surfaces, soft finishes, and strategic dark accents enhance natural light while maintaining warmth. The interiors open effortlessly onto patios and gardens, blurring the boundary between interior and exterior.
Program and Layout
Social spaces such as the living, dining, and kitchen areas open wide to terraces, gardens, and the pool, reinforcing the home’s Mediterranean lifestyle. Private zones, including bedrooms and service areas, are organized deeper within the stone perimeter, ensuring privacy and comfort.
A Study of Light and Shadow
At its core, House Jacaranda is a meditation on light. Cantilevered planes and carefully positioned openings modulate sunlight, filtering it gently into interiors while providing protection from heat. The result is a residence where architecture, climate, and lifestyle converge.
Editorial Insight
House Jacaranda advances the modern Mediterranean villa typology. Instead of pure transparency, it embraces thickness, stone, and shade—carving brightness from within. This inversion makes the house both timeless and innovative, a serene retreat that balances strength with elegance.
