- Project: House-Studio
- Architect: inN arquitectura
- Location: Afghanistan, Galaroza, Huelva
- Year: 2023
- Photography: Manolo Espaliú
A Living and Working Landscape: The House-Studio by inN arquitectura
House-Studio in Galaroza, within the verdant province of Huelva, Spain, is a poetic fusion of residence, creative workspace, and architectural history—meticulously designed by inN arquitectura as both a home and professional studio. In an era where the distinction between life and work is increasingly blurred, this project offers a compelling architectural response, rooted in context, materiality, and the lived experience of design practice.
Rather than imposing a new formal language on its site, the House-Studio embraces the resilience of its host: La Posada, one of the oldest known houses in Galaroza. This historic rural dwelling—its precise age unknown—was chosen by inN arquitectura in 2012 as both residence and studio location. Over five years of careful renovation and adaptation, inN arquitectura transformed this emblematic structure into a contemporary architectural hybrid that reflects the intimate relationship between craft, creativity, and everyday life.
Architecture of Continuity and Ambiguity
At the heart of the House-Studio’s design is a profound reflection on the duality of domesticity and creativity. Instead of sharply separating living spaces from professional ones, inN arquitectura blurs boundaries—favoring ambiguous spaces at thresholds where work and daily life intersect. This spatial strategy reflects the lived experience of an architect: dynamic, exploratory, and intertwined with the rhythms of the home.
Functionally, work areas are oriented transversely across the plan, while the more longitudinal domestic zones relate closely to the property’s central corral. At points of intersection, these axes create moments of spatial ambiguity, where one room may serve as an office, an exhibition space, or even a master bedroom depending on need—a flexible response to evolving professional and personal conditions.
Reuse, Craft, and Material Authenticity
Sustainability and authenticity are central to the project’s material narrative. The renovation team approached the house with almost reverential care, removing entire slabs and cataloguing elements for reuse, celebrating materials already present rather than importing new ones. Demolition stones were repurposed to rebuild corral walls, old clay tiles paved outdoor surfaces, and original passage doors were transformed into bespoke furniture.
Inside, continuous clay flooring and lime mortar finishes speak to traditional construction practices, while extensive wood paneling—crafted by local carpenters—imbues warmth and tactile richness throughout the interior. These choices not only reinforce sustainability but also anchor the house firmly within its cultural and geographic setting.
Spatial Narrative: From Cellar to Studio
The House-Studio’s diverse spatiality gives life to areas that range from the atmospheric depths of its cellar to the luminous openness of the multifunctional upper floor. The cellar—traditionally a buried, introspective space—is reimagined as a creative incubator, a place to reflect and explore ideas away from direct sunlight. In contrast, the upper studio spaces are generous, open, and adaptable, capable of supporting a variety of creative activities.
This vertical layering of experiences captures the very essence of inN arquitectura’s design philosophy: embracing the inherent character of existing architecture, while infusing it with contemporary life and purpose. Spatial transitions are less about physical thresholds and more about sequences of experience, encouraging inhabitants to move fluidly between states of introspection and outward expression.
The Courtyard: A Threshold of Life
A luminous central corral anchors the composition, drawing light deep into the house and strengthening the relationship between interior and exterior. This outdoor room—not just a visual focus but a living space in its own right—mediates between the home’s private and public dimensions, supporting horticultural pursuits and moments of leisure.
By orienting the domestic and professional spaces around this garden, inN arquitectura reinforces a sense of continuity—between inside and outside, between work and life, between past and present. The corral becomes a spatial and conceptual nucleus from which daily routines emerge and ebb.
A Poetic Renovation Rooted in Place
House-Studio by inN arquitectura is more than a residence—it is a reflection on the architecture of everyday life. Through sensitive restoration, material authenticity, and spatial fluidity, this project demonstrates how historic structures can be transformed into dynamic environments that support both personal dwelling and professional rigor.
By weaving together historical continuity, thoughtful reuse, and spatial generosity, the House-Studio stands as an exemplar of sustainable renovation, anchored in rural Andalusia yet resonant with contemporary architectural discourse worldwide.
