Casu Residence: A Contemporary Home Rooted in a 1930s Winery Renovation in Casas de Eufemia

The Casu Residence by Belen Ilarri Studio transforms a modest family winery from the 1930s into a warm, contemporary dwelling that celebrates the cultural memory of rural Spain. Located in Casas de Eufemia, the 155-square-meter renovation preserves the historical identity of the original building while introducing spatial clarity, natural light, and modern comfort. The result is a home that carefully balances heritage and innovation, offering a refined model for adaptive reuse in residential architecture.

The project begins with a sensitive approach to historical rehabilitation, valuing the existing structure’s textures, materials, and spatial rhythms. Rather than erasing the past, the architects reinterpret the original winery’s logic, preserving its massing and expressive surfaces while imagining new domestic uses. This philosophy becomes the foundation for the home’s architectural narrative: a continuous dialogue between the building’s past life as a wine-storage facility and its new role as a contemporary residence.

A key intervention is the creation of a new outdoor patio, a strategic addition that did not exist in the original scheme. This open-air space becomes the home’s climatic and social heart, dramatically improving natural light and ventilation for the interior. The patio transforms the spatial dynamics of the residence, creating a brighter and more porous environment that connects the different levels of the house and enhances cross-ventilation in previously enclosed areas.

Movement through the home is reimagined through a gently curving, ergonomic staircase that links the main living floor to the lower level. Once dedicated to vats and storage, the ground floor is now integrated into the daily life of the home. The staircase becomes a sculptural and functional element, guiding residents through the layers of history embedded in the architecture.

The lower level itself embodies one of the project’s most captivating transformations. Spaces originally used for storing wine and grapes are now adapted into naturally connected, comfortable rooms. Their material authenticity: thick walls, raw textures, and preserved structural features, adds depth and character to contemporary interventions. The architects embrace this architectural memory, integrating modern amenities without compromising the atmosphere of the original winery.

Maintaining the historic texture of the walls is essential to the design’s emotional resonance. The preserved surfaces carry the imprint of the winery’s past, grounding the home in its rural heritage. The architects pair these tactile traces with carefully selected modern finishes and warm materials, achieving a balance that feels both authentic and timeless. This juxtaposition results in interiors that are serene, grounded, and visually rich, with every room expressing a narrative of continuity and transformation.

All photographs are works of David Zarzoso