Madrid’s Aluminium House Is a Breathtaking Minimalist Sanctuary

Today’s urban dwellers might be fixated on making their tiny apartments feel bigger, but Spain’s Fran Silvestre Arquitectos have attempted to do the opposite. With their Aluminum House project in Madrid, the design team tried to give the illusion of the spacious, two-storey home being smaller than it actually is. Why? We’re not totally sure, but the results are pretty breathtaking.

The visual deception is achieved through the light stone on the ground level appearing like an extension of the sweeping, oversized aluminum upper terrace.

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Inside, you’ll find a monochromatic palette of white walls, marble flooring and the occasional black accent.

To keep the home from feeling like a cold, dark box, an abundance of large windows face directly up to the sun and out to the stunning backyard pool.

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The open-concept first floor features an integrated kitchen, living room and dining area that harmoniously coexist without ever feeling cramped or overrun. Upstairs, each of the three bedrooms comes complete with their own ensuite bathrooms.

It should seem weird to have this dose of metal-heavy futurism nestled amongst a wealth of gardens and lush greenery, but the Aluminum House’s light, airy, inspired design makes that stark contrast feel just right.

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Photography: Diego Opazo