By: Nigel F. Maynard
Project: Casa Loredo NAC01 / Location: Loredo, Cantabria (Spain) / Architect: Zooco Studio / Location: Madrid / Photos: David Zarzoso
Casa Loredo, in Loredo, Spain, is the second single-family residence in a series titled “New Vernacular Architecture of the Cantabrian Coast.” Located in the town from which it takes its name, the house makes an attempt to reinterpret the traditional building techniques of the region, adapting them to contemporary needs. Taking advantage of a series of commissions along the Cantabrian coast, NAVC aims to demonstrate that an architecture blending tradition and modernity is indeed achievable.
Set on the shores of the Cantabrian Sea and surrounded by pines and holm oaks, Casa Loredo occupies an elongated plot with open views to the northwest. From this vantage point, you can see the city of Santander across the bay. “The landscape was a central consideration in the design, with the house conceived as a grand lookout,” says Zooco Studio, the Madrid, Spain-based firm that designed the house. “Its expansive glazed surfaces foster a deep connection with the surroundings and enhance the sensation of proximity to the sea.”
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Zooco says Casa Loredo is a statement of intent regarding materiality, reflecting honesty, authenticity and respect for tradition. Vernacular construction techniques have been reinterpreted and integrated into a contemporary architectural language. The façade embodies the project’s philosophy through limestone masonry, allowing the house to blend seamlessly into its natural context but also reinforces its Cantabrian identity.
The house’s orientation results in direct exposure to the winds and rains of the Cantabrian Sea, so to mitigate these effects, strategies such as sheltered courtyards, porches and overhanging eaves provide refuge from the elements.
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“The dwelling is arranged around an L-shaped floor plan, with two wings that can function independently or as a whole,” the firm says. “The east-west wing houses the common areas and the master bedroom, forming the most frequently used part of the home. In contrast, the north-south wing is dedicated to guest rooms. This layout becomes apparent at the entrance, where the two wings converge. The interplay of solid and void, along with visual transparency, allows the sea to be visible from the point of access, reinforcing the connection to the landscape.”
Material reinterpretation is a cornerstone of the project. The firm specified limestone masonry walls that are characteristic of Cantabrian architecture and used wood in select sections of the wall surfaces. Arranged in slats that emphasize the home’s directional orientation toward the sea, wood plays a central role in both the exterior and interior ceilings. Rounding out the palette, the structure of the house is composed of reinforced concrete shear walls alternating with glass panels, shaping the architecture in a dynamic and functional way.
“Casa Loredo exemplifies how tradition and modernity can coexist in harmony, offering an architecture that engages with its environment and responds to contemporary needs without losing its identity,” the architect says.
