- Architecture
Olive Grove House did anything but steal its name. In a small village in Valencia, Spain, this terracotta home towers over a warm plain with olive trees. Here, the vastness of the spaces forms a nest for a relaxed lifestyle that is typical for southern areas. Brilliant in its simplicity, refreshing in its architecture.
It is no coincidence that the residents of this newly built property chose exactly this place to settle. Namely, they spent several summers in the environment during their childhood, and after all there comes a point in your life when you feel the need to return to something that has been behind you for several years. Apart from the nostalgic aspect, this place also has a practical one. It is located on the outskirts of the city and functions as a type of connection to the adjoining countryside. To the team of Balzar Arquitectos, it was evident to let the home fuse with the qualities of this special location. Architecturally, it is important to highlight that there are three courtyards, which means that the residents can spend a considerable part of everyday life in the open air without having to compromise on their privacy. The olive trees also helped with the latter. Furthermore, your attention goes out to the wide veranda, an example of Mediterranean culture. Not only does it support the experience of the present nature, but it is also meant to have a better answer to the warm climate, thanks to the protection that it offers to the western wind. To ensure the residents of access to the desired refreshment, the architects incorporated a spacious, heated swimming pool that looks out on the sunset. 
In this living narrative, indoor and outdoor cannot be strictly divided from one another. Apart from the named elements, the big windows are an important binding factor between these two zones. At the same time, the veranda likewise operates as a type of transition area between the indoor and outdoor areas in the home. An additional asset of that close connection is the variation between light and shadow. Moreover, water plays a central role in the design. Apart from the outdoor swimming pool, there is an indoor variant that is also equipped with a spa. Several showers are spread throughout the house and promote an uncomplicated wash to an immersion that manipulates all senses. Choices regarding materials and colours carried an unmistakable responsibility for the overall experience of the home. Exotic types of marble, such as Iranian travertine, brass, and joinery in a beautiful green are only a few examples of this. Of course, terracotta is another central element in every corner of this extensive design.
Brilliant in its simplicity, refreshing in its architecture.
The projects that you remember the most are often those that do not hide their sublimity behind anything. With a magnificent olive grove as garden and an exceptional location close to the countryside of Valencia, this property is an architecture showpiece. The right accents allow the unmatchable simplicity to dominate, with a unique result as the outcome. 

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Photography by David Zarzoso