Soto de la Marina. Bezana. Cantabria

The houses are located on the highest part of a plot in Soto de la Marina, on a steeply sloping site that was previously stabilized by a large retaining wall. This intervention has created a large elevated platform offering spectacular views to the south, forming a spectacular plateau on which both houses are built.

The development is located at the highest point of the platform, occupying the northern strip and leaving the southern side free for a large communal garden that allows residents to fully enjoy the landscape. Pedestrian access and vehicle shelters are located in the northern area, connecting to the upper street via a semi-private landscaped road. Access to the underground garages is from the lower street, integrated into the sturdy retaining walls. The scale of these walls is softened by the creation of an outdoor garden at street level with a careful design that combines concrete and stone gabions, achieving a harmonious integration with the environment.

Each home has been designed in a personalized way, adapting to the needs of its respective owners. Thus, one of them has a larger surface area and spatial development, while the other is configured on a more contained scale, both maintaining architectural coherence within the complex.

The south façades, which constitute the main image of the homes, are organized through a compositional interplay of ceramic bands that frame large panels of glass and rough stone. However, each one offers its own interpretation of this language, presenting a unique image toward the garden that reinforces the identity of each home. This light and permeable solution favors the capture of sunlight and orients the main rooms towards the south through porches and terraces. In contrast, the north façades are closed with blind panels, designed to protect the interiors from inclement weather and ensure privacy.

Each home also has a landscaped courtyard carved into its north façade, which acts as an interior circulation hub. These courtyards, rich in space, generate cross-views between interiors and exteriors, enhanced by the double heights that accompany the cantilevered staircases. They also allow natural light to enter the lower floors, creating complementary recreational spaces and expanding the living experience.

The complex is enriched by a variety of shared and private outdoor spaces: recreational areas with a swimming pool and jacuzzi, terraced vegetable gardens, patios of different shapes and materials, and the landscaped plateau.

Inside, both homes follow a minimalist and refined architectural style, inspired by Nordic aesthetics but complemented with local materials such as stone and wood, which evoke the architectural tradition of Cantabria and create a warm and timeless atmosphere.

The project incorporates passive architecture strategies, such as eaves and awnings that protect the windows from solar radiation during the warm months, optimizing thermal comfort. Likewise, the ventilated ceramic facades not only add aesthetic value, but also allow heat to dissipate in summer and provide thermal inertia, improving energy efficiency and promoting sustainable use of resources.

MOAH Arquitectos. Estudio de arquitectura e interiorismo

Loredo. Ribamontán al Mar. Cantabria

The house sits on a large plot with a slight slope towards the south and views of the Cantabrian mountains. The house is placed in the middle of the hillside creating two well-differentiated gardens: one to the north, more public, in which the access routes are organized, and another to the south, more private, to which the entire house turns.

The facade is broken down by a compositional game of white concrete bands that fragment the volume and reinforce the horizontal character of the house. Limestone and bamboo wood panels are arranged between the concrete lines, giving warmth to the house and high sensory richness.

To the south, the house sits on a podium that is protected from the northeast wind and opens to the views, which are reflected in the pool's water. The ledge of the first floor volume over the podium creates a covered space that serves as a porch for the house.

The north façade is hermetic in order to protect itself from the street, while the south façade is permeable and light in order to capture the sun and the views. Passive architecture strategies are adopted, such as large eaves that allow the windows to be protected from southern radiation or the location of a nearby sheet of water that cools the environment.

The bedrooms are placed on the first floor and open to a large terrace covered with wood that gives the house an outdoor space with greater privacy and isolation.

MOAH Architects. Architecture and interior design studio

Güemes. Bareyo. Cantabria

The house is located in rural environment, next to a large lingonberry plantation that provides a fresh and evocative summer aroma. The house is implanted in the upper part of the plot to capture the best views and sunlight.

The aim is to design a modern and respectfull house well integrated with the surroundings.  The outside of the house is integrated with the landscape through the use of a simple geometry and vernacular architecture solutions, such as a limestone façade and a flat gabled tile roof. The  massiveness of masonry stone is combined with the lightness of large windows and ceramic surfaces.

The interior distribution is carried out through a large corridor facing the setting sun with large windows that open to the semi-buried garden and that are alternated with storage spaces integrated into the enclosure. Through this corridor, the bedrooms can be opened or protected from the afternoon sun by glass enclosures.

The relationship between interior and exterior is blurred through the use of porches and eaves that dilate the interior space. To frame the exterior views, elegant porcelain stoneware is used, contrasting with the clarity introduced by the glazed surfaces.

The daytime area, facing south, recovers the scale of the house, highlighting the gabled roof so typical of these constructions.

In the basement, a series of leisure spaces are organized with a more private character that seek to close off the environment and protect themselves from the weather. This denser atmosphere is enhanced by the opening of a large window towards the pool, which shows the feeling of being buried or rather "submerged".

MOAH Architects. Architecture and interior design studio

Heras. Medio Cudeyo. Cantabria

Developer: Produque

Residencial Torre Alvarado has been created in response to the growing demand from people with medium purchasing power who are looking for a quiet life in a rural environment without sacrificing the comforts of being close to Santander. Its strategic location at the foot of Peña Cabarga will allow future owners to enjoy a balanced lifestyle in direct contact with nature.

The Cantabrian developer Produque has entrusted us with the design of this development with a clear requirement: to achieve a high level of quality and design without compromising an excellent quality/price ratio. To achieve this, we have opted for a compact arrangement of semi-detached villas on two levels, dispensing with closed garages, which maximizes the space for the enjoyment of the homes and gardens.

The development is located on the outskirts of Heras, in a rural setting characterized by the prominent presence of the Alvarado Tower, an emblematic heritage element of the area. The design of the urbanization has been carried out taking into account the need to respect and enhance the heritage value of the tower, being the central axis around which the planning of the complex has been developed. Inside the development, a square has been created that serves as a playground and meeting space for residents and offers a privileged view of the Alvarado Tower, integrating it harmoniously. To guarantee the square's tranquility and free it from vehicles, a community parking lot has been set up in the immediate vicinity.

The exterior image of the semi-detached villas is resolved with simple white volumes that are carved by means of a play of projections and recesses on the facade, giving it a modern and dynamic character that evokes Mediterranean architecture. To give the composition greater movement and depth, part of the volumes are clad in dark tones.

The interior layout of the day area is conceived as a continuous space linking the living room, kitchen, hall and staircase, which gives a great feeling of spaciousness and flexibility in the use of space. On the upper floor, there are the bedrooms, which enjoy panoramic views thanks to the elevated location of the plot. To the north, there are distant views of the city of Santander and to the south, they open up to the nearby mountains and valleys.

MOAH Arquitectos. Estudio de arquitectura e interiorismo

Liencres. Piélagos. Cantabria

The house sits on top of a quiet urbanization on the edge of the town of Liencres, on a small plot with a steep slope to the north and views of the cliffs of Costa Quebrada.

The house is implanted in the center of the plot creating around it terraces and gardens at different levels that enrich and expand the interior space of the house. The south garden, located on the upper level, has the best sunlight and sea views. The north garden, on the lower level, has a more private and protected character. On the upper level is organized the day area related to the main outdoor spaces: a covered porch protected from the northeast wind, a sun terrace that serves as a reception area and a light balcony with panoramic sea views.

The volume is composed by a play of bands of Alba limestone that envelop the large glazed surfaces and panels of disconcerted stone that endow the whole with warmth. The facades to the west open to the afternoon sun and the views through large windows, while the facades to the east are closed to protect them from the street.

The living room is configured as the neuralgic point of the house, bringing together the routes between the different spaces of the house and offering unique views of the cliffs. Its roof rises to create a differentiated environment of greater scale and to introduce the morning sun through the crack that opens between the two levels.

The double height of the staircase, open to the living room, connects the two floors of the house naturally and directly, while introducing natural light into the first floor.

The interior design of the house is clean and neutral, seeking to give all the protagonism to the landscape. The envelope of white cloths and glass is combined with wooden floors and furniture that give it a serene warmth, typical of Nordic architecture.

MOAH Arquitectos. Estudio de arquitectura e interiorismo

Suesa. Ribamontán al Mar. Cantabria

The house is situated in a peaceful rural environment close to the beaches of Somo and Loredo, on a small plot adjacent to single-family homes and livestock buildings. The design of the house is organized into two elegant minimalist gabled wooden volumes that reinterpret the traditional architecture of the area and promote its harmonious integration into the surroundings. The dwelling is distributed on a single floor open to the garden, maintaining a cozy and welcoming scale in contact with nature. In the main body, facing south and offering views, the living areas are located, while the secondary body, set in the background, houses storage spaces and a garage.

The intermediate space between the two architectural volumes houses the house's entrance hall, which is designed as a glazed vestibule opening onto a cozy wooden patio presided over by an olive tree. The volumetric simplicity is enriched by the carving of large abstract openings in the envelope. The large glass openings framed in concrete bands connect the dwelling with the landscape, while the perforated black metal-coated openings conceal areas that require greater privacy.

The cladding of thermotreated wood gives the envelope a dynamic and changing character, as the color of the boards transforms over time, acquiring a wide variety of tones. Through this treatment, the wood becomes inert and maintenance-free, making it highly favored in Nordic architecture.

Towards the southeast, the dwelling overlooks the main views of Peñacabarga through a large window that fully opens the corner, dematerializing the boundary between interior and exterior. Solar protection for the extensive windows is achieved through two strategies depending on their orientation: south-facing windows are sheltered from the midday sun by a longitudinal concrete overhang, while west-facing windows are shielded from afternoon radiation by a vegetal screen of jasmine. This vegetal screen also provides privacy from neighboring constructions and introduces a pleasant natural aroma into the interior of the dwelling.

The daytime area integrates the living room, dining room, kitchen, and porch into a continuous space, fostering a direct and close relationship among the occupants and between them and the garden. The interior design is simple and minimalist, thanks to the reduction of visible elements and the use of a restrained material palette. The living room and kitchen furniture are integrated into the perimeter, with much of the storage hidden behind the paneling. The large glass surfaces and light tones allow the house to fill with natural light and acquire a serene and friendly character. The high ceilings expand the space and highlight the gabled roof, lending a modern character to the design. The ensemble is enriched by incorporating touches of natural wood in the furniture and the presence of the large monolithic piece of marble that forms the kitchen island.

MOAH Architects. Architecture and interior design studio.

Somo. Ribamontán al Mar. Cantabria

The house is situated in a residential area on the outskirts of Somo, in a peaceful environment surrounded by garden-filled houses. The residence is positioned in the northeast part of the plot, on the highest point to capture the best views and offer open space to the southwest for enjoying the garden and the pool.

The house's exterior design catches the eye with its use of abstract volumes crafted from porcelain stoneware, imparting a contemporary and elegant aesthetic. To soften the stoneware's austerity and infuse some warmth into the architecture, rough stone elements are incorporated in the living areas.

Various strategies are employed to cater to different orientations: facing south and west, the house opens up with large windows and porches that usher in natural light and establish a direct connection with the garden. In contrast, the east-facing facade is designed to maintain privacy from the street, while the north-facing facade is smoother, featuring openings at specific points to allow for the entry of diffused and constant light.

The outdoor spaces are thoughtfully designed with various landscaping treatments depending on their location, enhancing the overall experience. The entrance path is composed of concrete slabs on a decorative gravel base, and the porches are constructed using polished concrete, seamlessly extending the interior space. Green roofs are fashioned as elevated decorative gardens, and slopes are adorned with low-maintenance ornamental plants.

The double-height entrance hall is bathed in diffuse overhead light through the expansive upper-level glass window. The staircase in this space is light and transparent, facilitating the flow of light and creating captivating interior vistas within the house. The kitchen is strategically configured as the focal point of the house, offering a sweeping 180-degree panoramic view of the surroundings.

The interior spaces are partitioned by large sliding glass doors, not only enhancing the interior lines of sight but also ushering in natural light to the hallways and entrance areas. Beyond spatial design, significant attention has been devoted to energy efficiency through a series of active and passive bioclimatic strategies. These encompass orientation-specific design, capturing winter sunlight through large windows, providing summer solar protection through overhangs, utilizing a ventilated facade with solid insulation, implementing aerothermal heating with radiant floors, and installing solar panels and green roofs.

MOAH Arquitectos. Estudio de arquitectura e interiorismo

Villaverde de Pontones. Ribamontán al Monte. Cantabria

The Villaverde house is located in a rural setting next to the Pontones river, at the end of a small urbanization on the outskirts of Villaverde. Through its scale, volume and materials, the house harmonizes with the landscape, without falling into imitation.

The house is designed following strict passive architecture criteria in order to minimize its energy consumption and ecological footprint. Through a series of bioclimatic strategies that include the study of orientations, sunlight, construction systems and renewable energy sources, the house is heated in winter and cooled in summer with a minimum consumption of external energy.

The image of the house is sober, hermetic and emphatic. The house is closed to the north with an apparently blind facade in which only the large cantilevered box in which the access is located stands out. This apparent introversion is broken by a set of hidden shutters that allow light and ventilation to enter. In contrast to this pungent image, the south façade is completely permeable to the landscape to capture views and solar radiation.

In contrast to the black exterior, the interiors are dominated by white floors, walls and cabinets, achieving a bright and calm atmosphere that focuses the vision towards the surrounding mountains.

MOAH Architects. Architecture and interior design studio

Somo. Ribamontán al Mar. Cantabria

The house is located in a residential area on the outskirts of Somo, on a plot with open views and a gentle north-facing slope. The architecture adapts to this terrain softly, respecting the existing topography. The design stems from a clear compositional intent: a contemporary interpretation of traditional Cantabrian architecture through a material language that combines stone, wood, and white render, reimagined with the addition of large glazed surfaces, overhangs, and controlled voids. The result is a fragmented and dynamic composition in which the various volumes interconnect and engage in dialogue with each other and their surroundings.

Externally, the house is organized through an interplay of planes and volumes that weave together harmoniously, creating a composition rich in rhythm and visual interest. The central feature, a two-storey white volume, acts as the organizing core, interlocked with a series of irregular stone masses. The heaviness of these stone elements is visually softened through the introduction of glass panels and cantilevered elements. These gestures create subtle transitions between interior and exterior, forming porches and terraces that not only extend the living areas but also regulate solar exposure and protect against prevailing weather conditions.

The home’s energy strategy begins with an optimal orientation: the daytime living areas open to the south and west through large windows that maximize solar gains in winter, while overhangs and shading elements control direct sunlight in summer. The living room’s double-height space includes an upper band of windows, ensuring excellent natural lighting year-round, reducing the need for artificial lighting, and enhancing thermal and visual comfort. The north façade, conceived as an access and transitional plane, limits its openings to the strictly necessary, following energy efficiency and climate control principles. These choices, aligned with passive house standards, are complemented by a range of both passive and active strategies, including a highly insulated envelope, underfloor heating, and solar panels on the roof, optimizing the building’s energy performance.

On the ground floor, the public areas of the house are laid out along a longitudinal axis that begins in the entrance hall and culminates in a continuous space combining the kitchen, dining, and living areas—forming a fluid sequence of interrelated functions. This axis continues into the first floor, where the private rooms—bedrooms and study—are strategically positioned to capture the views and preserve privacy.

The interior design seeks a calm and restrained atmosphere, where the warmth of wood—present in floors, furnishings, and structural elements—dialogues with the sobriety of white surfaces and the transparency of glazed walls. This chromatic and material palette, inspired by Nordic architecture, creates a neutral backdrop that allows natural light and the surrounding landscape to become the true protagonists of the domestic space.

Ultimately, this house balances tradition and modernity with subtlety, always aiming for a strong and continuous connection between interior spaces and the natural environment.

MOAH Arquitectos. Estudio de arquitectura e interiorismo