A beautiful Spanish country home takes the place of an abandoned stable

The country house is located in Extremadura, a western region of Spain known for its mountains, lakes and forests. Nestled away high on a hill, the home is off the city water and electrical grid. To overcome these infrastructural challenges, the architects installed a solar panel system with storage batteries and turbines to provide electricity in the colder months. The house has access to clean water thanks to its location atop two streams that flow year-round.

At the back of the home, a large swimming pool doubles as a holding tank for irrigation. Two white lounge chairs are the perfect seating for taking in the stunning views. And, rather than opting for manicured lawns and groomed flower beds, the homeowners kept the landscapes natural to suit the rugged surroundings.

Our favourite feature of the home is this huge picture window with great wooden shutters that open up like a storybook. At night, the shutters slide shut to retain the day’s solar heat gain.

The interiors have an industrial vibe thanks to cement walls and grey metal pillars. The open-concept lounge contains multiple seating areas, a fireplace, the kitchen, plus a dining area and bar. Located just off the main room is an interior patio, which contains a stone water fountain.

The stable’s former haylofts on the second-floor were converted into bedrooms. Once again, the giant window provides an awe-inspiring view of the countryside. The bed linens, side tables and chair in earthy tones perfectly match the stony facade peeking into the room.

The architects built a larger than usual eave to partially shade the house and keep it cooler in the summer months. In total, the home is 3,465-square-feet.