Architecture practice, Fran Silvestre Arquitectos, was commissioned to design the Compluvium House, located in a residential area on the northwest outskirts of the Spanish capital, Madrid. In line with the projects with which Fran Silvestre always surprises, the home is not only a paradise of abstraction to get away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby city, but also an interesting exercise in formal reinterpretation of the history of classic aristocratic homes.

The project reinterprets the well-known compluvium, designed to store rainwater in the impluvium. This shape composition system, finally, would be the heart of the domus, due to its different practical functions (ventilation or lighting).
Fran Silvestre's design takes a step further in the aesthetic interpretation and functionality of the compluvium, sophisticating its use as an instrument that optimizes the well-being of the occupants, underlining the importance of water as the main resource of life. The program organization achieves the best views and the necessary privacy for its occupants.

The house organizes all the functions, rooms and common spaces around this void with a sheet of water, opening views towards the interior patio, a paradise of abstraction, which elevates the observer above his nearby neighbours, bringing his gaze closer to the sky and the glasses of the nearby vegetation, which indirectly connects with the original vision of the Roman compluvium.
 


Compluvium House by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Orrico.


Compluvium House by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Orrico.

Project description by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos

The ancient Greeks, Etruscans and Romans implemented in their aristocratic residences a new architectural system known as compluvium, designed to divert rainwater into the impluvium. This structure, located in the heart of the domus, not only had an initial practical function of expelling smoke from internal fires but also evolved to improve fundamental aspects such as natural lighting, room ventilation and the efficient accumulation of rainwater.

Over time, the compluvium increased in size and complexity, becoming a crucial element for the aesthetics and functionality of the house, optimizing the comfort and well-being of its residents. This system not only reflected the technical sophistication of these cultures but also underscored the importance of water as a central resource in domestic and ritual life.


Compluvium House by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos. Photograph by Jesús Orrico.

In the contemporary context of this house located in the centre of Madrid, this architectural tradition is reinterpreted to adapt to current needs. The house, like the ancient domus, uses a central element that provides privacy from neighbouring buildings while organizing the interior space. The rooms and common areas are distributed around this core, opening views toward the interior courtyard.

The dual functionality of this design allows the house to enjoy an open and fluid spatiality while maintaining a protected atmosphere. The interaction between the interior and exterior is enriched by the presence of a sheet of water in the courtyard, which not only refreshes the environment but also provides a visual and acoustic focal point. This sheet of water is strategically placed to take advantage of the elevated views over the adjacent houses, offering a visual showcase of the sky and the natural elements, recalling the original functionality of the Roman compluvium.

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Architects
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Fran Silvestre Arquitectos. Lead architects.- Fran Silvestre, Carlos Lucas.
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Project team
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María Masia | Collaborating architect
Pablo Camarasa | Collaborating architect
Ricardo Candela | Collaborating architect
Estefania Soriano | Collaborating architect
Sevak Asatrian | Collaborating architect
José María Ibañez | Business developer CCG and Mexico
Andrea Baldo Collaborating architect
Angelo Brollo | Collaborating architect
Pigeon Feng | | Collaborating architect
Javi Herrero | Collaborating architect
Gino Brollo | Collaborating architect
Paco Chinesta | Collaborating architect
Facundo Castro | Collaborating architect
Anna Alfanjarín | Collaborating architect
Laura Good | Collaborating architect
Toni Cremades | Collaborating architect
Susana León | Collaborating architect
David Cirocchi | Collaborating architect
Neus Roso | Collaborating architect
Nuria Doménech | Collaborating architect
Andrea Raga | Collaborating architect
Olga Martin | Collaborating architect
Victor Gonzalez | Collaborating architect
Pepe Llop | Collaborating architect
Monike Teodoro | Collaborating architect
Alberto Bianchi | Collaborating architect
Lucia Domingo | Collaborating architect
Alejandro Pascual | Collaborating architect
Pablo Simo | Collaborating architect
Andrea Blasco | Collaborating architect
Ana Bono | Collaborating architect
Claudia Escorcia | Collaborating architect
Laura Palacio | Collaborating architect
Carlos Perez | Collaborating architect
Jovita Cortijo | Collaborating architect

Ana de Pablo | Director of the Financial and Administration Department
Sara Atienza | Director of Marketing and PR Department

Valeria Fernandini | Financial Dept.
Sandra Mazcuñán | Administration Department
Kateryna Spuziak | Marketing Technician
Julian Garcia | Graphic designer
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Collaborators
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Interior design.- ALFARO HOFMANN
Quantity surveyor.- Consuelo Astasio | Arquitecto técnico de proyecto.
Structures.- Estructuras Singulares.
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Builder
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Project Work S.L.
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Area
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Gross floor area.- 629 m².
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Dates
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2024.
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Location
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Madrid, Spain.
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Manufacturers
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Climate control.- Geotermia, Suelo Radiante, Fancoil.
Mechanisms.- Mecanismos Jung serie ZERO.
Lighting.- Foseados en falso techo. Luminaria lineal.    
Interior Paving.- Porcelain Saloni Majestic Gris.
Exterior and Pool Paving.- Porcelain Saloni Majestic Gris.
Facing.- Porcelain Saloni Majestic Gray / Lacquered wood paneling / Laminated wood paneling / Betacril Concrete Gray and Cloud Gray / Exterior SATE BAUMIT-PEARL 05.
Metalwork and Locksmithing.- Interior. Custom wood interior carpentry.
Exterior. Minimalist aluminum carpentry. IMG Windows.
Doors. Sensem. Custom pivot doors.
Interior furniture.- Project Work. Custom made wooden furniture. Decorative pieces. Designed by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos, produced by Nerinea:
- Sculpture Afrodita Marquina Marble.
- Tray ONE Marquina Marble.
- Table Hera Marquina Marble.
Sanitaryware.- Roca Inspira Round Onix suspended toilet / Roca Inspira Round Onix compact toilet / Roca In wash in-tank toilet.
Custom made furniture of Betacril Concret Grey.
Kitchen.- Custom made wooden furniture.
 
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Photography
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Fran Silvestre Arquitectos is a studio based in Valencia made up a multidisciplinary group of architects founded in 2005 by architect Fran Silvestre. Fran Silvestre (born 5 July 1976) is a Spanish architect. After having graduated in Architecture at the Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Valencia in 2001, he specialized in urban planning at the Technische Universiteit Eindhoven a year later. Then, he won a scholarship to work at the studio of the Pritzker Prize architect from Portugal, Alvaro Siza, which is located in Oporto, and have ever since undertaken projects in cooperation with him. He is also dedicated to teach as professor at the Universidad Politecnica de Valencia since 2006, and the Universidad Europea since 2009.

Influenced by the above mentioned architect, Alvaro Siza, or the sculptor Andreu Alfaro, among others, the studio realizes series of projects that take into account factors such as, modulation, serialization or light. Thus, giving rise to buildings of high purity, using constant innovative materials and technologies. Since its foundation, it has focused on the developement and implementation of small-scale projects, for instance, The Atrium House (2009) or the House at the mountainside of a Castle (2010). It also carries out multidisciplinary work while designing objects like the Alis chair, collaborating with other studios such as Alfaro Hofmann, which is dedicated to interior design.

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Published on: May 27, 2024
Cite: "A paradise of abstraction. Compluvium House by Fran Silvestre Arquitectos" METALOCUS. Accessed
<https://www.metalocus.es/en/news/a-paradise-abstraction-compluvium-house-fran-silvestre-arquitectos> ISSN 1139-6415
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