Minimalist beige wall with a door and a sign that says 'CASA JAR', under a clear blue sky.

A minimalist exterior wall with a subtle door and a sign reading 'CASA JAR' against a clear blue sky.

A minimalist exterior view of a building with a plain facade, featuring a single narrow window illuminated from within. A person stands beside a tractor parked in front of the building, and a street lamp is visible on the left. The sky is cloudy, creating a serene evening atmosphere.
A courtyard with a small pool, surrounded by beige walls and wooden window shutters. A child stands near the pool, and there are plants and a tree in the background.
A courtyard with beige walls and greenery, featuring a person carrying a chair, a round wooden table, and outdoor seating.
A child playing by a small pool in a courtyard surrounded by beige walls with wooden window blinds.
A courtyard scene with a small pool, where a child is jumping into the water and another child stands nearby holding a pool net. The area is surrounded by beige walls with wooden window shutters and greenery including a tree and various plants.
A child sits on the edge of a window ledge overlooking a small pool in a courtyard, with a person reaching up from the water. The building features light-colored walls and wooden blinds, with a clear blue sky above.
A courtyard with a tree in the center, surrounded by a building with tall windows and climbing plants.
A person and a child standing near a pool, surrounded by a series of tall, narrow columns.
Interior view of a modern living space featuring wooden beams, a black fireplace, and large windows opening to a courtyard.
Interior view of a room with wooden beams on the ceiling, multiple tall windows with wooden frames, and a table with fruit.
A view through a glass door into a courtyard with plants and a wooden chair.
Interior view of a minimalist room with a person standing on a stool, holding a basket. The room features light-colored walls, wooden beams, and a wooden window frame with a view of a courtyard.
A hallway with wooden beams on the ceiling, wooden doors, and a person standing at the end of the corridor.
A minimalist bathroom interior with a white countertop and built-in sink, wooden doors, and a small shower area visible through an open door.
Interior view of a hallway with wooden beams on the ceiling, leading to an outdoor patio area with seating.
A hallway with wooden doors and large windows allowing natural light to enter, creating shadows on the floor.
Interior view of a hallway leading to a small room with a person bending over a table with a vase of dried plants.
Interior view of a bedroom corner featuring a bed with a wooden headboard, a wall-mounted light fixture, and a small wooden nightstand. The room has a wooden beam ceiling and a window with blinds. A clothes rod with hangers is visible on the wall.
Interior view of a room with wooden beams on the ceiling, a person adjusting blinds on a window, and minimal furniture including a small table with a vase and a stool.
A narrow interior corridor with beige walls and wooden framing, featuring a person holding a blue hose.
A view through a doorway with wooden blinds partially open, revealing a person doing a handstand in a pool. The background shows a minimalistic interior with light-colored walls and a wooden bench.
Interior view of a living space with wooden ceiling beams, large windows, and a modern fireplace. Two children are playing on the floor, and there is a comfortable seating area with cushions.
Interior view of a space with wooden framed glass doors leading to a courtyard with plants and a small table. A child is visible in the courtyard.
Interior view of a modern living space featuring a central fireplace, wooden ceiling beams, and large windows opening to a courtyard.
A modern kitchen interior with a large central island, wooden cabinets, and exposed wooden beams on the ceiling. The space is warmly lit and features a minimalist design with simple decor.
Architectural floor plan of a house with a central courtyard surrounded by various rooms.
Architectural section drawing of a house showing interior spaces with figures, a staircase, and a central courtyard.
An isometric architectural drawing of a building with a central courtyard and surrounding rooms.
Axonometric drawing of a building layout with a central courtyard and surrounding rooms.
Axonometric drawing of a building with a central courtyard surrounded by rooms.

Story

An introspective house embracing a central courtyard CASA JAR, located in the small town of Jarafuel, Spain, is a striking example of introspective architecture by Estudio Nada and Crux Arquitectura. The house presents a reserved facade towards the street, prompting curiosity from passersby. However, once inside, the dwelling reveals a central courtyard that acts as a green lung and social core, redefining the typical suburban model. The design inverts the conventional layout of a detached house by placing a void at the center and mass along the edges. This courtyard system organizes domestic life around a contemporary cloister, where nearly cubic rooms line the perimeter, and the open courtyard becomes the heart of the home. The architectural promenade is a fluid sequence of interconnected cubes, eliminating residual corridors and enhancing the spatial experience. The day areas, including an open kitchen, dining room, and living room with a fireplace, are situated in the wider wings, promoting social interaction. Meanwhile, the night area ensures privacy while maintaining a visual connection with the exterior. The courtyard serves as a climatic and social device, featuring a nettle tree planted by the client, symbolizing family memory and intertwining nature with personal history. The pool and barbecue area extend the living room and kitchen, making it the true social heart of the house. Materiality is an ode to Mediterranean vernacular construction, with a palette that emphasizes texture and naturalness. Timber structures introduce warmth and rhythm, while lime renders and ceramic surfaces provide breathable materials that stabilize the indoor environment. The neutral chromatic palette allows the courtyard vegetation to take center stage, with simple, restrained furniture reinforcing the domestic character.

## Design Highlights

Central courtyard as a climatic and social core Inverted layout with mass along the edges Fluid architectural promenade with interconnected cubes Timber beam structure introducing spatial rhythm Mediterranean vernacular material palette

## Key Facts

Detail Description
Location Jarafuel, Spain
Architects Estudio Nada, Crux Arquitectura
Year 2026
Status Built
Key Feature Central courtyard design

Technical Summary

Finishes

  • Wall Finish: Lime renders, plaster, and ceramic block surfaces provide porous materials that breathe and help stabilize the indoor environment.

Materials

  • Wood — Structure and carpentry, including beams and window frames.
  • Plaster — Wall surfaces both interior and exterior.
  • Glass — Windows and doors, providing views and natural light.

Construction / Systems

  • Courtyard System: The house is organized around a central courtyard, with rooms along the perimeter, creating a contemporary domestic cloister.
  • Timber Beam Structure: The timber beam structure changes direction in each room, reinforcing the independence of each programmatic cube.

Products

  • Not specified

Palette / Lighting

  • Colors: whites, earth tones, natural wood
  • Lighting: Natural lighting through large windows and glass doors, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.

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