A Modern Family Retreat: El Recer House by Viraje Arquitectura

Located in the serene residential area of Alfinach, Valencia, El Recer House by Viraje Arquitectura is a modern family residence that harmoniously integrates with its natural surroundings. Completed in 2024, this 411 m² home was designed for a family of five, prioritizing privacy, comfort, and connection to the outdoors. Lead architect Jesús Damián Herranz Busquiel envisioned the house as a sheltered retreat, balancing a strong, protective presence along the street with open, airy living spaces that engage with the landscape.

Architectural Concept and Design

Perched on a gently sloping plot descending toward a torrent, El Recer House is strategically divided into multiple volumes that gradually decrease in size as they move inward. This volumetric arrangement ensures a subtle transition from the street’s urban environment to the natural surroundings, creating dynamic outdoor spaces while maintaining privacy. The main façade presents a watertight concrete volume, opaque and solid, forming a protective barrier from the public realm. Beyond this, the house opens onto the plot, welcoming light, green views, and circulation through its cascading internal spaces.

Integration with Landscape and Views

The house’s volumes are carefully positioned on the land’s natural slope, generating gentle inclines between spaces. This design approach allows for crossed sightlines, where each area visually interacts with the next, creating a sense of openness and spatial continuity. Large east-facing openings in the main living areas maximize daylight while minimizing sun exposure, ensuring comfort and energy efficiency.

Materiality and Sustainable Architecture

Precast concrete serves as the backbone of El Recer’s sustainable design, chosen for its durability and structural integrity. The material is treated with organic, flowing curves that guide movement through the home. The structural system employs 2D prefabricated concrete slabs combined with energy-saving technologies such as aerothermal systems and photovoltaic panels, enabling autonomous energy generation. The solid concrete façade highlights the strength and mass of the material, while perforations strategically orient views toward the surrounding greenery, enhancing the home’s dialogue with nature.

Entrance and Interior Experience

The entrance to El Recer House is approached via a descending path, evoking a sense of arrival and shelter. Curved walls create a cave-like transition into the home, leading to a grand opaque concrete entrance porch. Inside, the house unfolds with a sculptural steel-and-wood staircase descending into the double-height day area, a central space bathed in light from a large slatted window. This space serves as the heart of the home, connecting to a spacious exterior porch and a private terrace.

Family-Focused Spatial Layout

El Recer House accommodates a versatile family lifestyle with clearly defined zones. The residence includes dedicated sleeping areas for the family, guest accommodations, and multifunctional spaces, all interconnected around the central living core. The thoughtful arrangement ensures both privacy and communal interaction, making the home adaptable to everyday life while celebrating its natural setting.

 El Recer House embodies contemporary residential architecture in Spain, combining modern concrete aesthetics, sustainable systems, and a strong connection to the landscape. Its careful orchestration of volumes, views, and light creates a private retreat that is both functional and poetic—a true sanctuary for family life in Valencia.