GLOBAL INSPIRATION // Spanish Family Home

Ceramics reinterpret traditional architectural style

Innovative living concept for the future: A multi-generational house in Madrid combines traditional architectural style with a modern VHF ceramic façade.

In the middle of Madrid's lively backdrop stands a small architectural jewel that is much more than just a residential building. The project "Beyond the Family Kin Housing" stands for the values and visions of a modern, multigenerational society. This multi-generational house embodies a concept for lifelong living in all the details of its design principles characterized by durability and flexibility. The choice of ceramic façade and tile design was not a random decision.

Developed by Ignacio G Galán and OF Architects, this house was created with the aim of meeting the needs of different generations and enabling lifelong living. The open room design, characterized by seamless transitions, invites a variety of alternative forms of living and at the same time promotes a sense of community.

Striking façade design

The bold exterior of the house is justified by its screed roof and the blue ceramic façade of the KeraTwin system by Agrob Buchtal, contrasted by the striking appearance of corrugated steel plates. The façade is not only for aesthetics. It combines several tectonic and technological strategies to bring energy efficiency and environmental quality to the project. In order to ensure the longevity of the house, the builders opt for a rear-ventilated ceramic façade on the recommendation of the architects. It is robust and durable, but at the same time can also be flexibly dismantled and converted. 

Construction and ceramic slabs offer the resilient basic concept of architecture by Ignacio G Galán and OF Architects the best suitable basis for sustainably connecting the present and the future. The movable windows in the roof are coupled with automatic blinds that control heat and lighting to create a well-ventilated and comfortable interior. Solar panels, supported by the distinctive green steel structure on the roof, support the operation of underfloor heating throughout the house.

Energy-efficient tile design

With its focus on energy efficiency, barrier-free design and aesthetic design, the builders are largely relying on the combination of underfloor heating with thermally conductive tiles in the interior. This contributes 100% to the energy efficiency of the house, because compared to parquet or other floors, tiles allow heat to be transferred to the room faster and more efficiently. The duo is easy to install, sustainable in use and unbeatably efficient in terms of service life. In summer, the tiles are nice and cool and welcome and often used, especially in warm countries like Spain. With the natural modern material tile, the architects make a comfortable and healthy room atmosphere possible for residents of all ages in their showcase project.

Inclusive room concept

Modern design is a central theme that is considered in both the interior and exterior of the house to promote the inclusion and participation of all residents. While new buildings in the area tend to shift most of social life to their rear terraces, they promote the formation of communities and social connections with a courtyard, among other things.

The open design of the ground floor, with a direct connection to the street, also stimulates the neighbourhood community. A short ramp leads from street level to the entrance. Inside the house follows a seamless sequence of spaces that can meet all needs, from toddlers to seniors, from scooters to "wheelchairs", can be explored and inhabited comfortably and safely: on each of the three floors in varying degrees of autonomy and community.

In this innovative project, the architects saw ceramics not only as façade, wall or floor coverings, but as an integral part of inclusive healthy architecture. Last but not least, it will be thanks to the curtain wall and rear-ventilated ceramic façade that the house will be able to adapt flexibly to the different lifestyles of its residents and changing needs in the future, if necessary.