casa violetas balances enclosure and openness through courtyard living in madrid
Werk Estudio organizes Casa Violetas around central courtyard
Casa Violetas by Werk Estudio is a detached single-family house in Madrid conceived as a continuous architectural form that folds around a semi-enclosed courtyard. The project is organised through a single linear gesture that gradually develops without fully closing, creating a sequence of spaces that alternate between openness and intimacy. At the center of the house, the courtyard becomes the core of domestic life, bringing natural light, vegetation, and ventilation into all the rooms while reinforcing privacy. The living area establishes a direct relationship between the courtyard and the garden, connecting a more protected outdoor environment with a larger social area designed for leisure and gathering. This spatial duality is also reflected in the architectural expression of the house.
all images courtesy of Werk Estudio
thick white walls with limited openings enclose Casa Violetas
Towards the exterior, the building appears more solid and enclosed, defined by thick walls and limited openings. In contrast, the inner facade facing the patio becomes lighter and more permeable, allowing light and warmer materials to shape the atmosphere of the interiors. The project integrates bioclimatic principles to optimise thermal comfort and reduce energy demand. Cross ventilation, solar control systems, and natural daylight play an important role in the environmental performance of the house. Passive strategies associated with the Passivhaus standard are combined with aerothermal energy, underfloor heating and cooling systems, and photovoltaic panels. Through its spatial organization and relationship with light and climate, Casa Violetas by architectural studio Werk proposes a domestic environment centred on privacy, comfort, and everyday living.
Casa Violetas is organized around a semi-enclosed central courtyard
a continuous architectural form folds gradually across the site
thick exterior walls create a solid and private facade
the semi-enclosed patio acts as the center of the house
open and enclosed spaces alternate throughout the house
natural light flows through the living area with exposed timber beams
the architecture balances privacy with visual openness toward the courtyard
the layout ensures visual connection between interior spaces and the patio
folded geometry shapes circulation and spatial transitions
the minimal exterior volume is defined by light and shadow
facade detail highlights the openings and volumetric composition
illuminated openings highlight the house’s folded volume
project info:
name: Casa Violetas
architect: Werk Estudio | @werkestudio
lead architect: Mayte Rodríguez Junker & Adolfo Navarro Cano
location: Madrid, Spain
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edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom
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