Old ruins are transformed into a green-roofed home with a minimal energy footprint

North Face house by nodo17 group

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Though the home is named North Face after its north-facing and centrally located recycled granite wall, the house was carefully oriented to maximize southern orientation. Placed close to the property boundary, the granite wall curves away from the neighboring busy road to shelter a spacious south-facing inner courtyard planted with vines, ficus, and palms. To maximize views of the landscape—both of the inner courtyard and the surrounding environment—the building is fragmented into divided but connected housing volumes.

North Face house by nodo17 group

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The old granite ruins of a decrepit building have been given new life and purpose in North Face, a green-roofed house in Madrid that aims for zero energy consumption. Designed by Spanish architecture firm nodo17 group, the passive solar home recycles the former building’s granite masonry into a large north-facing wall that protects the interior from cold north winds and noise. Highly efficient insulation, a solar chimney, and careful orientation of spaces help to minimize reliance on fossil fuels for heating and cooling.

North Face house by nodo17 group

3 of 19

Though the home is named North Face after its north-facing and centrally located recycled granite wall, the house was carefully oriented to maximize southern orientation.

North Face house by nodo17 group

4 of 19

Placed close to the property boundary, the granite wall curves away from the neighboring busy road to shelter a spacious south-facing inner courtyard planted with vines, ficus, and palms.

North Face house by nodo17 group

5 of 19

To maximize views of the landscape—both of the inner courtyard and the surrounding environment—the building is fragmented into divided but connected housing volumes.