AR HOUSE, Lerín.
A Dialogue Between the Cliff and Contemporary Efficiency
Context and Site The town of Lerín, located in the Tierra Estella region, is defined by its singular topography, where the medieval urban fabric rises 100 meters above the Ega River. In this setting, architecture is not merely a shelter but an extension of the gypsiferous geography upon which the historic center rests. AR House emerges as a necessary intervention to replace a ruined structure, tackling complex geometry and the preservation of an ancestral winery excavated directly into the sedimentary rock.
Siting Strategy The project is conceived as a massive volume that seeks integration into the historic urban grain. To manage the steep slope, the dwelling is organized across three distinct levels, absorbing the topographical gradient while responding to functional requirements and the varying access points of the surrounding streets.
The exterior design reinterprets the traditional construction system of "earthy" adobe load-bearing walls, rooted in the rock of the "Peña de Lerín." A textured plinth provides the base of the house with a stone-like, robust character, seamlessly blending into the streetscape of Cofradía and Marcolain.
Functional Organization The building features three exterior-facing facades and one party wall to the north. The program is distributed as follows:
· Semi-basement Level: Providing direct vehicular and pedestrian access from Cofradía Street, this level serves as a service area. It integrates the preserved historical winery, which is connected beneath the new terrace and garden volume.
· Ground Floor: The social core of the house, with the main entrance situated to the northwest on Marcolain Street. It features an open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area, physically and visually linked to the porch, the garden, and the expansive landscape of the Lerín pine forest to the southeast, fostering outdoor living.
· First Floor: The private quarters house three bedrooms: the master suite—complete with an en-suite bathroom, walk-in closet, and a covered terrace overlooking the landscape—and two additional bedrooms served by a second bathroom.
Sustainability and Technical Rigor A cornerstone of the project is the achievement of low energy consumption based on Passivhaus criteria. To this end, a continuous thermal envelope was designed using an External Thermal Insulation System (ETICS/SATE) with a fine-scraped light finish, evoking the aesthetic of the local traditional load-bearing walls.
Efficiency is bolstered by an aerothermal system for climate control and domestic hot water, complemented by the pre-installation of photovoltaic panels on the roof. Furthermore, the strategic placement of apertures and the southeast orientation of the living areas ensure optimal solar gain and panoramic views.
The new volume incorporates mandatory regional elements, such as continuous eaves at the roofline and specific window proportions, aiming for a "silent" and discreet mimicry within the "Peña de Lerín."
Conclusion AR House demonstrates that it is possible to reconcile the regulatory constraints of a historic district with the demands of contemporary construction. Through the optimization of economic resources and a simple yet precise execution, the work acts as a piece of "urban stitching"—honoring Lerín’s heritage while embracing a future of high energy efficiency and user comfort.
Location: Lerín, Navarra, Spain
Status: Completed
Built under Passivhaus criteria
Architect: @azp_arquitectura
Photography: © Josema Cutillas
PROJECT TEAM The design and construction team consisted of:
Lead Architect & Landscape Architect: Daniel Azpilicueta
Structural Consultant: Eduardo Ozcoidi
Quantity Surveyors (Aparejadores): Fernando Ariztegui & María Navarro
Photography: J. Cutillas
General Contractor: Construcciones Altamira
