It is possible to unite the vernacular and the contemporary in a single architecture.
Casa Loredo is the second single-family residence within the ensemble known as the *New Vernacular Architecture of the Cantabrian* (NAVC). Located in the Cantabrian town that gives it its name, this house reinterprets traditional northern construction techniques, adapting them to the demands of contemporary living.
Project Name: Casa Loredo NAVC01
Studio Name: Zooco Estudio
Taking advantage of a series of commissions in the Cantabrian region, the NAVC series aims to demonstrate that tradition and modernity can coexist in architecture. In many cases, local regulations rely on unexamined formal legacies, posing a challenge when designing homes that respect both their surroundings and history.
A Window to the Marine Landscape Situated on an elongated plot opening to the northwest, Casa Loredo stands beside the Cantabrian Sea, flanked by a setting of pine and oak trees. From this privileged position, it offers a direct view toward the city of Santander across the bay. The design prioritizes the landscape, conceived as a habitable viewpoint. Large glazed surfaces establish a direct relationship with the environment, intensifying the sense of closeness to the sea.
Locally Rooted Materials
The house makes a clear commitment to authenticity and local respect, expressed through honest materiality. Vernacular construction techniques have been reexamined to produce contemporary yet rooted architecture. The limestone façade becomes the project’s manifesto: a traditional technique reinterpreted to naturally integrate the house into its context, while affirming its Cantabrian character.
Adapting to the Climate
The orientation of the main volume entails direct exposure to Cantabrian conditions, especially wind and rain. To address this, the design incorporates features such as porches, sheltered courtyards, and eaves, offering protection and comfort without sacrificing visual openness.
An “L”-Shaped Floor Plan
The layout is resolved through an L-shaped floor plan that allows for a clear articulation of uses. The east-west wing houses the common areas and the main bedroom, forming the most inhabited core. The north-south wing, in contrast, contains the guest rooms.
This organization is evident from the entrance, where both wings converge. The arrangement of volumes, openings, and transparent surfaces offers a glimpse of the sea from the doorway, reinforcing the connection with the landscape from the very beginning.
