El Paular

El Paular is a mid-terrace townhouse, and is Steyn Studio’s second residential project within Madrid’s northwestern neighbourhoods of Mirasierra and Montecarmelo. While formally restrained, the project is driven by calm precision in composition and proportion rather than overt expression.

Like Sierra House and Casa Picos, the plot follows a tight urban typology. In this case, however, it benefits from direct views and physical access to an urban hillside park to the south. The central ambition was to strengthen the relationship between the urban street edge and the natural landscape beyond.

The ground floor is therefore conceived as an open, permeable layer that draws one through the house — from street to garden to park. Defined by urban materials, like concrete and generous glazing, this base anchors the building. Above it, a seemingly floating upper volume clad in stone and timber introduces warmth and tactility, mediating between architecture and nature.

Nature, although positioned behind the urban façade, is subtly revealed on the street through a series of carefully integrated planters, softening the elevation and hinting at the landscape beyond.

Working within tight local planning parameters, the design maximises every spatial opportunity. Higher-than-standard ceilings enhance the sense of generosity, while a lightwell introduces natural daylight into the garage level. Thoughtful planning and proportion distinguish the house from typical developer-driven properties in the area.

Sustainability is embedded in the architecture: high-performance insulation, an air-source heat pump with underfloor heating and cooling, intelligent ventilation responsive to occupancy, and rooftop solar panels collectively ensure comfort and efficiency.

El Paular demonstrates how a disciplined architectural language, guided by narrative and context, can create a home that feels both spacious and deeply connected to its surroundings.

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