ARG House, Valencia home, Mediterranean forest residential building images, Spanish architecture

ARG House in Comunidad Valenciana

11 December 2025

Architect: Pepe Giner Arquitectos

Location: Jávea, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

Photos: Diego Opazo

ARG House, Jávea, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain

ARG House is situated on a steeply sloped plot surrounded on three sides by a protected green zone. This privileged location—characterized by the distinctive Mediterranean forest landscape with pines, holm oaks, and dynamic topography—becomes the conceptual foundation of the project. From the earliest stages, integration with the environment and respect for the existing nature were established as the guiding principles behind every architectural decision.

The site’s topography and exceptional views not only condition but inspire the volumetric composition of the house. Two large, superimposed concrete volumes rest upon a stone base that adapts to the slope, creating a natural transition between architecture and terrain. This stone plinth embraces the topography, allowing the building to anchor itself into the hillside with minimal impact on the original landscape.

Access is provided from the lowest point of the plot through a partially buried portico that leads visitors on an almost ritual ascent into the home. Once on the upper level, the heart of the project is revealed: the daytime living area, conceived as a grand viewpoint elevated above the treetops. From here, the sweeping views open towards the Mediterranean Sea, the mountainous landscape, and the town of Jávea, establishing a constant visual dialogue with the surroundings.

Perched on the highest part of the site, the house becomes a secluded retreat enveloped by native vegetation, offering a sense of calm and protection while maintaining a deep connection with the environment.

The material palette embraces natural tones and textures. Exposed concrete provides structural clarity and a sculptural presence; natural stone on the base blends the house with its landscape; and warm wood surfaces soften the volumes and reinforce harmony with nature. Both interior and exterior spaces employ neutral hues and natural finishes, creating spatial continuity and a serene atmosphere designed to celebrate the landscape from every angle.

The architecture becomes an extension of its environment, and the house—light, open, and quietly integrated—creates its own universe on the Mediterranean hillside, where light, nature, and materiality coexist in balance.

Given the steeply sloped plot, what were the most significant design and construction challenges faced, and how were they ingeniously overcome to create the ARG House?

The project is designed with a deep respect for the surrounding environment. The site’s topography and views are essential elements in shaping and situating the house. The two stacked concrete volumes that form the house rest on a stone base that adapts to the steep slope of the hillside. Access is through the lowest part of the plot through a ´portico´ integrated into the terrain.