Anna and Eugeni Bach extends Fonolleres House with porches and pergolas

Timber porch with bamboo blinds extends over the edge of an existing swimming pool

Architecture studio Anna and Eugeni Bach has renovated and extended a holiday home in the medieval village of Fonolleres, Spain, adding a series of porches, pergolas, and terraces to bring daily living outdoors.

Named Fonolleres House, the project expands an existing house on the edge of the village to allow its owner to make better use of the outdoor spaces.

Timber porch with bamboo blinds extending over swimming pool — Anna and Eugeni Bach have extended a holiday home in the medieval village of Fonolleres

Rather than demolishing and rebuilding, Anna and Eugeni Bach retained most of the existing house and extended it with a series of additions that draw on the way Fonolleres – a tiny medieval settlement of 39 residents in Catalonia's Empordà region – has evolved over centuries.

The village is characterised by clusters of ochre-coloured stone and ceramic buildings, which have been extended and adapted over time.

Timber-framed extension beside a historic stone building in the village of Fonolleres — The extension draws on the way the village has evolved over centuries

This same approach informed the material palette. Terracotta bricks, timber and silicate paint were selected to match the tones of the local stone buildings, helping the extension blend into its surroundings.

"We kept as much of the existing house as possible as a way to reduce debris and energy consumption," Anna and Eugeni Bach told Dezeen.

"We wanted the house to blend naturally into this setting," added the studio. "The result is a monochromatic composition made up of individual elements connected through geometry, texture and colour."

Upper-floor terrace finished with terracotta flooring and brick balustrades — Materials were chosen to echo the surroundings

The extension follows the same shape and volume as the existing house, while adding a collection of outdoor structures, including a porch, pergola, terrace and barbecue area.

These new spaces were designed around the Mediterranean climate and the idea that activities usually associated with the interior of a house can take place outdoors.

Garden elevation showing the extension's porch, terrace and outdoor living spaces — A large porch creates space for dining outdoors

"In the Mediterranean climate, we spend most of our time outdoors," the studio said. "So we designed a porch that is used throughout the day, with a big dining table for gatherings, a living room for socialising or enjoying a nap."

"A big porch offers the possibility to bring much of the life that happens inside the house outdoors," it continued.

The largest addition is a long porch that stretches across the garden and partially over the existing swimming pool, creating a sheltered outdoor area for dining, reading and relaxation.

A circular pergola shades an outdoor breakfast table, while a triangular barbecue volume projects from the facade.

Terrace with terracotta balustrade overlooking the garden — The porch stretches across the garden and extends over the swimming pool

Anna and Eugeni Bach used distinct geometric forms to give each addition its own identity while distinguishing them from the main house.

"As we kept the main volume of the house as a very compact rectangular shape, we wanted the different additions to have their own personality and show their autonomy from the main volume," explained the architects. "The best way to do that was via geometry."

Circular pergola shading an outdoor dining area beside the house — The additions have unique geometric forms

The same geometric forms reappear within the extension, including a triangular double-height space that links the library and music studio on the ground floor with the main bedroom above, mirroring the triangular barbecue volume outside.

Designed around the owner's interests in reading and music, this void allows music from the studio to filter up towards the bedroom while providing easy access to books from both spaces.

Living room with terracotta-tiled fireplace and brick flooring — The same geometric shapes used outdoors are echoed throughout the interior

Hidden behind the bed is a small reading room connected to the library below, creating a secluded space dedicated to the owner's favourite books.

"The triangular double-height is a very special moment in the house," said the studio. "This double-height connects the most personal spaces of the house: the master bedroom, the studio and library."

Built-in library shelves framed by a triangular opening in the ceiling — A triangular void connects the owner's library, music studio and bedroom

Founded in 1999 by husband-and-wife duo Anna and Eugeni Bach, the eponymous studio is based in Barcelona and works across urban planning, architecture, interiors and object design.

Previous projects by the studio include the renovation of a 19th-century chocolate factory in Spain into a family home and studio apartment, as well as a Barcelona apartment building with bright yellow balconies.

The photography is by Eugeni Bach.

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