Catalan farmhouse designed as "a passage through the land"

Casa Juià by NUA arquitectures in Catalonia, Spain

Spanish studio NUA Arquitectures has completed Casa Juià, a farmhouse in Catalonia that draws on the craftsmanship of the surrounding region.

Located in the village of Juià, at the foot of the Gavarres mountain range in Spain, the 283-square-metre home comprises three parallel wings wrapped in porches and galleries.

Casa Juià reinterprets the region's traditional farmhouse typology, known as masia, and also takes cues from neighbouring structures, local roof forms and the site's original terrain.

Casa Juià by NUA arquitectures in Girona, Catalonia — NUA arquitectures has completed Casa Juià

"The project is conceived as a contemporary interpretation of the traditional Catalan farmhouse," NUA arquitectures co-founder Arnau Tiñena told Dezeen.

Casa Juià was built for a family of five who returned to rural life after several years in a city.

The house stands opposite a traditional rural farmhouse on Mas Nadal, a road on the edge of Juià, at the transition between the village and a forest of cork, pine and oak.

Casa Juià by NUA arquitectures, a farmhouse in Catalonia — Casa Juià is located in Catalonia, Spain

"Its central idea is to inhabit the transition between the village and the forest, creating an architecture that is deeply rooted in its context while expressing a clear contemporary identity," said studio partner Ferran Tiñena.

"The house mirrors an existing farmhouse and reinterprets it in typology, moving away from romanticism and literal imitation," added Arnau.

Casa Juià by NUA arquitectures uses timber, cement and lime mortar — The house reinterprets the traditional Catalan masia

The farmhouse's layout, materials and handcrafted construction methods were chosen to celebrate local knowledge, while also tending towards more contemporary design.

It is arranged as three parallel, two-storey wings that give the building a clear order within the rougher surrounding terrain.

Casa Juià by NUA arquitectures is a contemporary farmhouse in Catalonia — Local materials were used throughout

"The linear structure allows the dwelling to unfold as a sequence of interconnected spaces that extend toward the landscape," said Ferran.

A staircase leads from the garden up to a double-height entrance, which opens onto the ground-floor living areas, with bedrooms above.

On the ground floor, the interiors extend onto a covered porch, while upstairs they lead onto a gallery – opening the house to scenic views. The staggered arrangement of these porches and galleries is intended to evoke the layout and passive climate control found in the local farmhouses.

The east-west axis of the site is left open to maximise sunlight, cross-ventilation and views over the fields, while the enclosed north-south axis borders the forest and adjacent properties, and features solid, thermally efficient walls.

Casa Juià by NUA arquitectures built for a family of five — The interiors extend onto a series of porches and galleries

"The design is entirely shaped by the specific conditions of the site, reinforcing the idea of the house as a passage through the land," said Arnau.

"Equally significant is the careful framing of views, which establishes a constant dialogue with the surrounding landscape."

Casa Juià by NUA arquitectures with porches and galleries — Downstairs features the living areas, and upstairs the bedrooms

Casa Juià's material palette was chosen for its texture and durability. Timber, ceramic and lime mortar are used throughout the project, each locally sourced and central to the local construction industry.

"All three of the primary materials used in Casa Juià are natural, locally sourced materials with a low environmental footprint, deeply rooted in the region's construction culture," said Arnau.

Casa Juià by NUA arquitectures near Gavarres mountain range — The staggered porches and galleries open the house to its surroundings

Timber is used for the house's floor beams, joinery and custom-designed furniture, while ceramic forms the roof covering and protective waterproof cladding on the facades, as well as the flooring and wall finishes inside.

Lime mortar glazes the exterior facade and many of the interior walls.

"Materiality plays a fundamental role in the identity of the project," said Arnau. "It celebrates the honesty of construction rather than concealing it."

Casa Juià by NUA arquitectures in Juià village, Catalonia — The house stands opposite a traditional rural farmhouse

Local craftsmanship shaped the handmade finishes and custom-built elements throughout, which were designed to preserve the imperfections and character of the structure rather than smooth them away.

"Materials are not only a construction system but also an expression of local culture, craftsmanship and time," Ferran continued. "By prioritising local materials, collaborating with regional craftspeople and supporting traditional building techniques, the project reinforces local knowledge and contributes to the circular economy."