Gorgeous Green-Roofed Home in Madrid by A-cero

No, this is not the newest <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/07/19/steven-holls-modern-art-museum-is-a-luminous-iceberg/">contemporary museum</a> -- but a stunning single-residence home in Madrid, Spain. With a substantial <a href="http://inhabitat.com/green-roof/">green roof</a> and a low profile, the energy-efficient home’s placement is very inventive. Behind the grey concrete walls is a high-design marvel tucked under the gently sloping landscape. Spotted on <a href="http://www.plataformaarquitectura.cl/tag/a-cero/">Plataforma Arquitectura</a>, <a href="http://www.a-cero.com/">A-cero’s</a> Concrete House II is a potent design with some substantial green features that help compensate for its sheer scale.

The project's sloping walls and vegetated ramps hide a sizable home. The grey concrete further reduces the home's visual impact and tucks the envelope behind a lush green facade.

The planted exterior continues up top on a massive scale -- the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/green-roof/">green roof</a> is the sustainable star of the home, reducing the heat from the intense Spanish sun. It also provides habitat for animals while filtering rainwater runoff. The black boxes are solar thermal hot water tubes for domestic hot water.

"The back (face) of the house is totally opened towards the garden where the lounge, dining room, library, study and bedrooms are. In this façade the wide windows, the volumes set and the projections (made of concrete too enhance. These elements cover the several house´s porches. The large window of the main lounge hides itself automatically in order to make this stay completely opened to the exterior areas." The back of the home also features a pond and a beautiful garden.

Open pavers in the drive help absorb rain runoff from grassy areas. They can also assist in cooling the drive through <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evapotranspiration">evapotranspiration</a>.

The low profile entrance hints at a unusual design. The earth bermed walls help the interior maintain a comfortable temperature year round.

The home's elegant entrance is a unique glass vestibule.

Head straight to the kitchen and you will find an sharp modern aesthetic that reflects the exterior's angularity. And white floors!

The exterior 'ramp' motif outside takes on a decidedly modern look for this interior table.

The project's common spaces are also located on this level -- there is an expansive lounge, a dining room, and a library. The lounge's large window retracts into the floor, opening up the interior to the outdoors.

"Bedrooms are in the right side of the house. The principal bedroom includes a study, a bath and an ample dressing-room. Furthermore, there are four bedrooms with their own bathrooms. In this area you can find also two living rooms and a spa with an interior swimming pool."

"The basement includes the garage, facilities room, home cinema (with a drinks cabinet made of alabaster back-lighted) and a wine room."

The underground parking is otherworldly -- there's plenty of room for some <a href="http://inhabitat.com/2010/06/30/street-legal-electric-tron-lightcycles-for-sale-on-ebay/">Tron Lightcycles</a>.

The single-story home comprises 1600 square meters.