We are interested in thinking about architectures that, in some way, disappear.

Architectures that find their place in the environment until becoming part of it. That seem to emerge from the landscape itself and adapt to its geometry, its vegetation, its light and its views, trying to alter as little as possible what already exists.

We are particularly interested in this mimetic condition, in which the very materiality of the place is incorporated into architecture until its limits almost disappear. A continuity between the built and the existing that makes architecture perceptible as something that has always belonged to that place. Sometimes disappearing means extending the landscape over a roof or using the own material of the environment.

This attitude seems especially appropriate to us in certain contexts: an architecture that does not seek to impose itself on the landscape, but to be part of it. When this happens, architecture and environment cease to be understood as two distinct realities and begin to build the same reality.

Architecture is present, but almost disappears. And perhaps it is precisely then when its relationship with the place reaches one of its purest expressions.

How can we transform obstacles into order?

This project is located in the Iraq Gate Garden apartments in Baghdad and responds to the premise proposed by using the blank space—the void—as a structural element. It originates from carving useful spaces like in a quarry.

The pre-existing elements include all types of load-bearing elements, the result of the union of four houses into one. The strategy consists in grouping these elements, which were initially conceived as a series of barriers, into solid blocks; thus, they become modules that generate a continuous and fluid negative space, designed to allow flexible communication and habitation between them.

The idea of using partitions to divide main spaces, as well as imposing rigid boundaries between adjacent rooms, has become obsolete.

Except for existing structures, vertical elements have not been used to divide main spaces, thus reimagining the original space to achieve effective beauty that makes the most of what is given.

Large glass openings and two contrasting porches: a home designed to integrate the exterior with the greatest well-being.

This spacious design is organized into two floors; the ground floor corresponds to the daytime area and the upper floor to the nighttime area, in a classic and functional scheme.

The dining room and kitchen extend to the outdoors through two large-sized covered terraces. Located on opposite sides, they provide shade from the sun and rain, acting as a porch, allowing for enjoyment of the surroundings at any time of the year.

The project is designed to promote the well-being of the resident, from the integration with the environment to the home’s smart technology.

Fran Silvestre Arquitectos presents a new residential project in La Zagaleta, an architecture conceived as a quiet dialogue between space, light, and material.

Strato takes its name from the concept that defines its architecture: a composition of horizontal planes that appear to float above the landscape. The house unfolds as a series of layered strata extending towards the horizon, framing views of the sea and the mountains.

These expressive planes create deep overhangs that regulate light and shade while blurring the boundary between interior and exterior. The result is a serene, open architecture that establishes a natural dialogue with its surroundings.

The project consists of a serene living space defined by a generous double-height volume that enhances the sense of openness and light. Soft daylight filtered through large curtains creates a calm, intimate atmosphere, while warm wood surfaces and natural stone elements shape a refined and contemporary Mediterranean interior.

Our studio has completed the photo shoot for Roca Views Ibiza, thus advancing the documentation and dissemination process of this project. Photographer Jesús Orrico’s keen eye has precisely captured the atmosphere and spatial essence of the home, as well as its relationship with the island’s topography, light, and landscape.

The project stems from an essential question: Can we build on this hillside by depositing a single piece? In response, the home is conceived as an extraordinarily thin sheet, only nine centimeters thick, that folds over the terrain, respecting both the natural slope and the conditions established by regulations.

This continuous gesture organizes the program through a descending sequence comprising the garage, the day area, the swimming pool, and the night area. Each of these areas adapts to a different elevation of the hillside, allowing the architecture to accompany the terrain rather than imposing itself upon it.

The arrangement of spaces simultaneously enhances frontal and lateral views. The home is understood as a mechanism capable of capturing the surrounding landscape, framing different perspectives of the surroundings and creating shaded areas from which to enjoy Ibiza.