Gozona House: A Contemporary Coastal Home Reinterpreting Asturian Tradition

Located in the picturesque fishing village of Luanco on Spain’s Atlantic coast, Gozona House by Isla Architects and Mori Meana Architecture presents a refined exploration of contemporary residential architecture rooted in local identity. Designed in 2022, this 1787 ft² residence reimagines the traditional Asturian home through a careful balance of innovation, spatial flexibility, and contextual sensitivity.

Contextual Design Within a Traditional Urban Fabric

Set within a narrow and deep trapezoidal plot between party walls, the house responds intelligently to its constrained urban condition. The site is uniquely positioned between a public cornfield to the south and a private garden overlooking the harbor to the north. This duality informs the architectural strategy, emphasizing visual and spatial connectivity between both facades.

Strict planning regulations in Luanco often favor traditional architectural expressions, yet this project challenges convention through a creative reinterpretation. Instead of replicating historical forms, the architects introduce a modern spatial language while maintaining key vernacular elements, ensuring harmony with the surrounding streetscape.

Spatial Continuity and Interior-Exterior Integration

At the heart of the house lies an open-plan living-dining-kitchen area that seamlessly connects to a central courtyard. A large folding window dissolves the boundary between interior and exterior, enhancing natural light, ventilation, and spatial fluidity. This design move not only expands the perceived interior space but also creates a dynamic environment for everyday living.

The courtyard itself becomes an extension of the home, enclosed by an existing horseshoe-shaped stone wall. Polished concrete platforms and integrated greenery foster a microclimate, while a small water basin provides passive cooling during warmer months, an effective example of climate-responsive design.

Vertical Circulation as a Spatial Experience

A defining feature of Gozona House is its sculptural, winding staircase. Rather than serving as a purely functional element, the stair becomes an experiential journey, connecting each level through a central vertical axis. This movement organizes the house while maintaining visual continuity across floors.

The first floor accommodates private living spaces, including bedrooms, a bathroom, and laundry. Above, the attic level introduces a reinterpretation of the traditional “Ventana marinera,” extruded to form a cross-shaped spatial configuration. This unique intervention frames panoramic views of the harbor and surrounding landscape while offering adaptable uses, from workspace to play area or additional sleeping quarters.

Passive Design Strategies and Environmental Performance

Sustainability is embedded in the architectural logic of the house. A triple-height void above the staircase enhances vertical airflow, utilizing the chimney effect to naturally ventilate and cool the interior. Cross ventilation is further supported by large facade openings fitted with traditional wooden shutters, allowing occupants to regulate light, airflow, and privacy.

Material choices reinforce both performance and cultural continuity. The use of timber shutters, deep blue-painted details, and sloped roofing references local architectural language, while contemporary construction techniques ensure durability and efficiency.

A Playful Yet Contextual Residential Architecture

Gozona House stands as a compelling example of how modern residential design can coexist with historical context. By blending traditional elements with innovative spatial strategies, the project achieves a balance between heritage and contemporary living. Its flexible interiors, passive cooling systems, and strong connection to landscape make it a model for sustainable coastal housing.

All photographs are works of  Luis Díaz Díaz