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Oak House Is a Concrete and Glass Home With Floating Levels

ByMyProperty Life

Nestled in the Pedrezuela municipality of Madrid, Spain, Oak House by MUKA Arquitectura is shows how architecture can integrate seamlessly with its natural surroundings. The design takes cues from the site’s defining features – a pair of majestic oak trees, a reflective water surface, and the expansive horizon – to shape a home that both responds to and respects the environment.

A modern building with a distinct angular concrete roof and large glass walls surrounded by greenery. A person stands near the entrance under a clear blue sky.

The orientation and form of the house are dictated by its context. The southern entrance, a subtle and continuous curve, creates a gentle transition into the dwelling. Meanwhile, the northern facade, featuring a striking double-height glass wall, embraces the landscape while subtly bending to accommodate an existing oak tree. These deliberate gestures highlight the structure’s deference to nature, capturing the essence of what existed before and what has been introduced.

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Modern concrete building with large glass windows, adjacent to a tree on a paved courtyard, under a clear sky.

A key design element is the interplay of views and topography. The north-facing facade capitalizes on the sloping terrain, positioning interior spaces in a diagonal sequence that enhances both spatial flow and daylight penetration. This cascading arrangement ensures that every level is bathed in natural light while maintaining a strong connection to the outdoors.

Modern concrete house with large windows, adjacent to a reflecting pool and landscaped lawn, set against a clear blue sky.

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Modern concrete building with large wooden-framed windows, surrounded by grass and trees.

A modern, cubic house with large windows and a concrete exterior is surrounded by trees and vegetation under a clear, pastel sky.

Structurally, the house is a study in material efficiency and coherence. Concrete serves as both the primary structural element and the defining aesthetic feature. Its adaptability allows for the creation of floating platforms that form a continuous, upward-moving spatial experience. This ascending path – traversing from the communal zones at the base to the secluded, private spaces at the upper levels – establishes a gradient of intimacy and function.

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Spacious modern living area with large windows, concrete walls, a central fireplace, wooden and metal stairs, a bookshelf, and a red chair. Outdoor scenery visible through the windows.

Concrete cylindrical structure inside a modern room with large windows, bookshelves, and greenery outside; person peering from inside the upper part of the structure.

Notice the floating concrete bathtub attached to the shower in the cylindrical column? The occupants can soak while taking in the surrounding views framed by the wall of windows.

Modern industrial-style room with concrete walls, large windows, and wooden elements. Features a brown leather chair, bookshelf with plants, and a small table. Natural light illuminates the space.

The construction technique employs a dual-layered concrete shell with integrated insulation, blurring the line between inside and out. This monolithic approach ensures that the material fulfills multiple roles, from enclosure and support to housing essential systems within its very fabric. The result is a structure that embodies rawness and restraint, standing as a timeless expression of architectural purity.

Industrial-style room with exposed concrete walls and ceiling. A leather sofa, floor lamp, and small table are on the concrete floor. Bookshelves line the walls with large, high windows above.

Spacious modern interior with concrete walls, large windows, and a view of trees outside. Features a fireplace, wooden flooring, and a red lounge chair.

Despite its heavy concrete construction, the interior feels open and airy thanks to the large windows and floating platforms that allow light to pass through. Wooden elements, like the window frames, kitchen cabinets, and curved wooden edge framing the upstairs mezzanine, add warmth to the typically cold feeling of most concrete homes.

Modern interior with concrete walls, large windows, and a curved wooden element. Multilevel open space with visible beams, natural light streaming in, and outdoor view.

Modern open-plan interior with exposed concrete walls, wooden accents, a red sofa, and a black floor lamp. A kitchen area with stools is visible in the background. Large windows allow natural light.

Modern kitchen with wood cabinets and black countertops, featuring a small island with two stools. Exposed concrete walls and ceiling, with a staircase leading to a mezzanine.

Concrete interior with modern stairs, large windows on the right, and shelves on the left. Daylight illuminates the space and greenery is visible outside.

Interior of a modern home featuring concrete walls, a wooden dining area, metal railings, large windows, and a staircase with plants.

Interior view of a modern building with concrete walls, wooden shelves, large windows, and a metal staircase railing, featuring a plant below.

Interior of a modern room with concrete walls, large windows, a wooden platform bed, and nature views outside.

The non-public spaces are formed through a series of floating levels that hover above the ground floor at different heights. The areas feel open while also having an element of privacy appreciated in a bedroom.

Concrete interior with multi-level design, featuring wooden furnishings. A rack displaying clothes is visible above. Large windows provide ample natural light. A person is sitting by the stairs.

Modern interior with concrete walls, wooden flooring, and a central steel beam. An open wardrobe with hanging clothes is visible on the upper level, with stairs and railings on the left.

Modern two-story building with large glass windows and concrete structure, surrounded by trees and grass. A swing hangs from the structure.

Modern concrete building with large glass windows and an exterior staircase, adjacent to a reflecting pool and a tree.

Modern building with large glass windows, concrete exterior, and a tree nearby, viewed at dusk.

For more information on the Oak House or MUKA Arquitectura, visit mukaarquitectura.com.

Photography by Adrià Goula.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

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