The NIU project was born with the purpose of innovating construction systems to increase precision in the materialisation of architecture. Designed by Spanish architects , the N70 is the smallest model of the NIU project with a strictly geometric structure. For this series of houses, the idea is to prioritise quality and reduce costs of materials and construction, resulting in more sustainable living within minimalist architecture by the team at Fran Silvestre Arquitectos.
The single-level rectangular box of N70 features a clean and straightforward layout with zones that separate the day from the night. The bedroom (night) and the social spaces such as the living and dining areas (day) are divided by the wet areas (bathroom and kitchen). It’s a simple floor plan but one that works incredibly well for this modest Spanish home.
In typical Fran Silvestre fashion, large floor-to-ceiling windows span the front and rear of the house, inviting the surrounding landscape inside and maximising the natural light, giving the pure white box design an added sense of tranquillity.
The interior, designed by Alfaro Hofmann, hits the more extreme end of the minimalism spectrum. There is a continuous monochromatic palette throughout the home that is understated yet precise. You could argue that natural elements like house plants would be a welcome addition to contrast with the non-colour, but we appreciate each inhabitant that resides in N70 will look to express their own personality. We can say that this is a clean and serene canvas on which to begin a new chapter in life.
