Binoculars House

Location: Valle de Mena, Burgos
Design: 2011
Construction: 2015-2018

In the heart of Giijano de Mena (Burgos), surrounded by a natural environment of great scenic value, stands the Binoculars House, a project that embodies the fusion of contemporary architecture and respect for the environment. Situated on an 4,500 m² plot divided into two horizontal platforms, the house is strategically located on an intermediate terraced space that resolves the uneven ground. This location not only meets technical criteria but also transforms the house into a true lookout point, an architectural piece that delicately rests on the slope, interacting with the surrounding trees and blending into the landscape.

The architecture proposed by Angulo Arquitectura for the house stands out for its contemporary design, with clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic that integrates, without competing, with the surrounding landscape. The dark-toned exterior walls contrast elegantly with the large glass windows, which, in addition to providing light to the interior, allow a constant visual connection with the exterior from any point in the house.

The house is situated at an inflection point on the plot, on a slightly horizontal point, so that the landscape envelops the architecture. Two arms jutting out from the slope, day and night, create an interstitial space for outdoor recreation and enable the proper thermal functioning of the building envelope. In motion, several rings or sockets inserted into one another add depth and dynamism to the house, reinforcing its sculptural character and its integration with the surroundings.

The carefully chosen north-south orientation follows basic principles of natural sustainability, allowing for optimal use of sunlight and promoting energy efficiency. The home is built with industrialized and semi-industrialized materials, selected for their low environmental impact and ability to reduce CO₂ emissions. This choice does not compromise aesthetics, but rather enhances them, resulting in a sober, elegant, and committed architecture.

Binoculars incorporates a series of innovations that reinforce its sustainable nature. The interior is equipped with biomass, a renewable energy source that reduces dependence on fossil fuels. The water used in sinks and showers is reused, contributing to water savings, while the low-temperature underfloor heating system ensures thermal comfort with minimal energy consumption. Furthermore, the home features a home automation system that monitors and optimizes energy use, adapting to the needs of its inhabitants in real time.

The sloping roof, along with a gravel drainage system, facilitates the collection of rainwater, which is subsequently reused to irrigate the garden areas. This measure is not only functional but also strengthens the connection between the house and its surroundings, returning part of what the landscape offers to the landscape.

Overall, Binoculars is not just a house: it’s a statement of principles. A commitment to the search for living spaces that respect and celebrate the natural environment. Beyond its aesthetics, this house suggests a more conscious way of living, where design not only responds to functional needs but also emotional ones. Living in such a place means being in constant contact with nature, breathing fresh air, listening to the silence, and allowing oneself to be enveloped by the serenity that only open landscapes can offer.

In motion, several rings or caps that are inserted into each other provide depth and dynamism to the house

Can we do anything for you?

Información sobre el proyecto

Project title
Binoculars House
Program
Single-family home
Location
Gijano de Mena, Spain
Design
2011
Construction
2015-2018
Angulo Arq Team
Borja Angulo, Jon Arostegi, Ana Martín, Oihane Arbaiza, Roberto Santiago y Javier Baranda
Plot surface
4500 m²
Total Built Area
310 m²

Our projects

  1. Hospitality 5
  2. Restaurant-Bar 2
  3. Single-family housing 7
  4. Interior design 5
  5. Collective housing 2
  6. Public 5
  7. Industrial building 7
  8. Product Design 3