Spanish architecture practice ESPECIE Arquitectura has imagined a residence like "small capsules" on the outskirts of Murcia, Spain. 

Named Casa PB16, the structure is a home extension and remodeling project located in a residential development outside of Murcia. 

Because of the substantial elevation difference, the client knew when she bought the property that she would eventually need to extend and rebuild it to solve the lack of connectivity between the house and a large portion of the garden, explained ESPECIE, led by Joaquín García Vicente and Tatiana Poggi.

"When she contacted us, she explained the issue and asked for the construction of an outdoor office with a view of the garden that could serve as a guest bedroom, as well as a heated indoor pool for personal enjoyment and therapeutic purposes," explained the studio. 

A natural ravine that runs lengthwise along the extension project divides the site in half. In order to create an architectural prosthesis in several volumes that extend and spread like little capsules, the project rests on the terrain and modifies it as little as possible. Some are solid, some have vegetation, some are translucent, some are transparent. 

The new areas rise above the garden, preserving the ravine's natural drainage and runoff, allowing the natural soil to seep in (but shielding themselves from possible flooding), and promoting the organic growth of the plants, animals, and microbes that live alongside us. The ecology itself has created a natural oasis during the course of the three years of building, and rather than being disrupted by the new construction, it flourishes alongside it.

The bedroom section of the existing house was refurbished in addition to the aforementioned addition. The ideal of having a pool in your bedroom is realized by connecting the bedroom to the heated pool via sliding glass doors. 

In addition, a bathroom and laundry room were created, the dressing room was remodeled, and a shower was installed at the far end of the extension with a view of the garden.

Floor plan

Perspective

Section

Section

Elevation

Details

ESPECIE is a research and architecture office based in Murcia. The studio's projects are designed to facilitate the future - to a more equitable, liberated, resilient, and ecological future where human constructions are not the only ones.

Project facts

Project name: Casa PB16

Architects: ESPECIE Arquitectura

Architects: Joaquín García Vicente, Tatiana Poggi

Location: Las Torres de Cotillas, Murcia, Spain

Year of completion: 2025

Built Area (m²): 156m2

All images © David Frutos.

All drawings © ESPECIE Arquitectura.

> via ESPECIE Arquitectura

Architecture ESPECIE Arquitectura Murcia residence residential