Casa Libertad by GRAO – Sustainable Family Home in Encinas Reales, Spain

Nestled on the outskirts of Encinas Reales in South Córdoba, surrounded by rolling olive groves, Casa Libertad is a thoughtfully designed retirement home. Conceived as a family residence for the architect’s parents, it harmoniously blends traditional Andalusian architecture with modern sustainable living principles.

Key Features:

• Living & dining room
• Kitchen
• Bedroom & bathroom
• Two interior patios
• Terrace

Design Concept

Casa Libertad emerges from a collaboration between a father as master builder and a son as architect, reflecting a deep connection between craft and design. Despite a small urban plot measuring 7 x 20 meters, rotated 45° from the cardinal axes, the house maximizes spatial efficiency, privacy, and connection to nature.

The home draws inspiration from:

• Classical domus
• Islamic house typologies
• Local traditional Andalusian architecture

This combination results in a monolithic exterior that is deliberately closed to the outside world but opens inward to intimate patios, emphasizing family life and domestic activity.

Sustainable Architecture & Passive Design

Casa Libertad demonstrates a strong commitment to eco-friendly and low-impact design:

• Constructed using local materials sourced from the municipality
• Passive solar design captures winter sunlight and blocks summer heat with mobile wooden shutters
• Maximizes cross-ventilation and thermal inertia
• Minimizes thermal bridges, ensuring energy-efficient, breathable interiors

These strategies create a home that is both comfortable and low-energy, supporting a sustainable lifestyle while respecting local building traditions.

Materiality & Construction

The project emphasizes simplicity, efficiency, and material honesty:

• Brick, concrete, and timber reflect vernacular Andalusian materials
• The building’s structure and program are designed for quick and efficient construction
• Interiors and comfort are derived from the qualities of local materials, creating healthy and dignified living spaces

This unified approach ensures that Casa Libertad is not only environmentally responsible but also timeless in its architectural language.

Architectural Philosophy

Casa Libertad is more than a house; it is a modern interpretation of domestic tradition:

• Integrates family, nature, and culture
• Balances isolation from the urban context with openness to private patios
• Combines efficiency, comfort, and sustainability

The result is a home that is adaptable, functional, and deeply rooted in its regional context.