a large flat roof and limestone walls sculpt Casa Óculo
Casa Oculo, designed by OHLABit is a single family residence located in a residential neighborhood on its outskirts Palm. The project is organized around a single architectural gesture: a large apartment roof stretching from east to west. Responding to the southern slope of the site, the view to the surrounding mountains and the client’s program, the house uses light, materiality and climate as the main elements shaping its spatial organization.
The roof rests on a series of load-bearing walls finished with plaster and arranged along a north-south axis. These walls define the layout of the house, organize traffic and frame views by shielding neighboring properties while opening the interior to the southern landscape. Their orientation also promotes natural cross-ventilation, contributing to year-round passive thermal comfort.
all images © José Hevia
Off-center Oculus brings sunlight into the home
The architects in OHLAB they extend the roof beyond the enclosed volumes, creating deep perimeter terraces that act as transitional spaces between the interior and exterior. These shaded areas reduce sun exposure during the warmer months while allowing outdoor spaces to remain usable year-round.
A defining feature of the project is a circular roof opening placed above the main terrace. Shaped as a slanted, off-center truncated cone, the eye lens is designed to capture low winter light and direct it into the living room. As the sun moves throughout the day, the beam of light shifts indoors, moving from the dining room to the living room and creating a changing relationship between light, space and time. During the summer, the higher solar angle keeps direct sunlight inside the terrace, limiting heat gain inside the house.
lush vegetation surrounds the house from OHLAB
The material palette consists of natural and durable finishes such as stone floors, woodwork, natural brass details and plaster walls. Plaster contributes to indoor comfort through its breathable and hygroscopic properties, while developing a natural patina over time. These materials emphasize durability, environmental performance and the gradual transformation of the building as it ages.
The surrounding Mediterranean garden is an integral part of the project. Designed with native, low-maintenance and drought-tolerant planting, the landscape extends the character of the nearby mountains to the site. Seasonal flowering, changing texture and movement of vegetation contribute to the experience of the house, allowing the garden to evolve alongside the architecture.
Through passive environmental strategies, natural materials and a close relationship with the landscape and daylight, Casa Óculo explores a contemporary interpretation of Mediterranean residential architecture. The project incorporates climate-responsive design, material longevity and spatial continuity between the house and its surroundings in a cohesive architectural framework.
