CASA DE RETIRO ESPIRITUAL
SEVILLE, SPAIN (1975)

Outside of Seville, in the middle of a rolling field, this house is the weekend retreat of a couple with two children. Inspired by the traditional Andalusian house, it has a central patio onto which all rooms open. The house is insulated by the earth, which keeps it naturally cool in the hot, arid southern climate. Two tall, rough stuccoed white walls meet at a right angle to herald the entrance to the house, which is otherwise contained by sinuous walls. Water cascades within both high walls along the handrails, creating a great amount of noise at the bottom of the stairs but becoming increasingly quieter as visitors ascend to the top. The large, continuous living space of the interior area is defined by smooth cavities excavated into the floor. The walls are washed by the soft, diffused light, that descends from the skylights and filters in from the breezy patio.