Winter Pavilion Extension by Valdivieso Arquitectos: A Modern Contrast to Rural Tradition

Location: Alcalá de la Selva, Teruel, Spain
Project Size: 1,460 sq ft (136 m²)
Completion Date: April 2024
Site Area: 0.175 acres
Total Construction Cost: $321,000

Program: A Seasonal Retreat for a 50-Year-Old Family Home

Valdivieso Arquitectos’ Winter Pavilion extends a rustic single-family house built half a century ago, creating a modern counterpoint to the original structure. Designed primarily for winter use, the pavilion floats above a concrete basin that doubles as a shaded courtyard, blending functionality with striking aesthetics.

Design Solution: Minimalist Intervention, Maximum Impact

The pavilion connects to the main house at a single point the stair landing via a glazed entrance. This deliberate, minimalist linkage emphasizes the contrast between old and new. The extension diverges radically from the traditional home in materiality, form, and expression, featuring a sleek, energy-efficient volume organized around a central wood-burning stove.

Key Challenges & Innovations:

• Space Constraints: A shared slope with a neighboring structure limited northern expansion.
• Energy Efficiency: The compact, lofted layout maximizes thermal performance.
• Material Contrast: Dry construction techniques (except for the exposed concrete basin) prioritize speed and sustainability.

Structure & Materials: Lightness Meets Durability

• Envelope: Cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels, left exposed indoors but clad in thermally treated metal for exterior weatherproofing.
• Soffit: Suspended tongue-and-groove wood panels soften the interior ambiance.
• Glazing: A curtain-wall system floods the space with natural light while maintaining insulation.

Sustainability & Craftsmanship

The project champions low-impact materials like locally sourced timber (Xilonor) and recycled metal cladding (Europerfil). The pavilion’s orientation optimizes passive solar gain, reducing reliance on artificial heating.

Visual Journey

Photographs by Imagen Subliminal capture the pavilion’s interplay of shadow and light, while drawings reveal its efficient, loft-inspired plan.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

Valdivieso Arquitectos’ Winter Pavilion masterfully juxtaposes modernity and tradition, using restrained geometry and sustainable materials to create a space that feels both intentional and organic. While the design’s stark contrast with the original home is visually compelling, one might question whether the thermal mass of the concrete basin could have been further integrated into the heating strategy for added efficiency. Nonetheless, the project excels in its clarity of purpose—offering a serene, seasonally adaptive retreat that respects its rural context while embracing contemporary innovation.

Explore the Latest Architecture Exhibitions & Conferences

ArchUp offers daily updates on top global architectural exhibitions, design conferences, and professional art and design forums.
Follow key architecture competitions, check official results, and stay informed through the latest architectural newsworldwide.
ArchUp is your encyclopedic hub for discovering events and design-driven