Three terraced houses creating serene, introspective retreats in a dense urban fabric In the bustling urban landscape of Madrid, the MG houses by delaVegaCanolasso offer a unique architectural response to the dense and often fragmented environment. These three terraced houses, designed for different families, form a cohesive visual entity while maintaining distinct interior layouts. The architectural strategy focuses on introspection, creating a rich interior world that shifts attention from the exterior to a serene domestic experience. The design closes off from the eastern street and opens towards the western garden, maximizing the ground floor for outdoor space. The upper floor houses a solid block of bedrooms, providing solar protection and creating a deep porch. This volumetric strategy is complemented by an atmospheric approach, situating the dwelling slightly below the garden level to establish a visual connection with the vegetation, transforming the perception of the surroundings. Inside, light is treated as a material, with courtyards and skylights introducing filtered, indirect illumination. The courtyards also facilitate cross-ventilation and passive climate regulation, while a sunken courtyard acts as a reservoir of fresh air and light. The result is a set of dwellings that are compact yet permeable, allowing the garden to penetrate the house and vice versa, creating a small oasis where light and vegetation dominate.

Design Highlights

Three distinct terraced houses forming a cohesive visual entity Strategic orientation: closed to the street, open to the garden Upper floor bedrooms provide solar protection and create a deep porch Visual connection with vegetation through strategic elevation Light as a material: filtered, indirect illumination via courtyards and skylights Passive climate regulation through cross-ventilation and thermal chimneys

Key Facts