A 19th-Century Asturias Home Reborn as a Light-Filled Rural Retreat
A 19th-century country house in Asturias has been transformed into a modern rural retreat. Named House for Rural Habits, the 148-square-metre home sits on a 1,036-square-metre plot surrounded by apple trees. Architecture studio Spolia Office led the renovation, blending old and new to create a space where nature takes centre stage. The project drew inspiration from Prospect Cottage, the late home of artist Derek Jarman in Dungeness. Like Jarman's iconic retreat, the design embraces its surroundings, with every room offering views of the valley, orchard, or blooming flowers.
During construction, a stone block was uncovered, revealing the house's original build date. The walls were carefully restored to harmonise with the new design. A structural cantilever was also introduced, opening up the interior while redistributing weight—now a striking architectural feature. The main floor merges the living room, kitchen, and dining area into one fluid space. A glass-block room partitions the main bathroom, shaping the layout while allowing light to filter through. The colour palette mirrors the landscape, reinforcing the connection between indoors and out. Large windows frame the outside like living paintings, ensuring the landscape remains a constant presence. The renovation prioritised openness, enabling unrestricted movement and letting natural light flood the interiors.
The three-storey home now stands as a reimagined rural escape, where architecture and nature intertwine. Each space serves as a vantage point, celebrating the valley, apple trees, and seasonal blooms. The design preserves the house's history while offering a fresh, light-filled take on country living.
