An architectural gem cocooned by nature
We’re kicking off our film section with the first episode in our new series, My Singular Space, which transports us to a stunning home nestled in the Basque countryside. An architectural gem in the Nervión Valley, this property looks perfectly at home in its bucolic setting in the garden of Bilbao. In the film, current owner Juan leads us on a fascinating tour taking in every corner of this elegant country mansion, a masterful fusion of English influence and traditional Basque architecture.
Occupying a plot of over 17,000 sqm, this impressive property includes both the main house and a smaller one, once used to accommodate household staff. With nothing but the sounds of nature to disturb you, this tranquil spot, complete with luxuriant garden and breathtaking mountain views, could be just what the doctor ordered. “The colours of the garden blend into the mountains on the horizon, creating a real sense of space and solitude,” says Juan. “It’s just a heavenly place to live,” he adds. You feel a sense of calm come over you that you can’t find anywhere else...”
The house holds a lot of fond memories for him: “Leaning out of the window on a clear night, when the moon is full and there’s not a single light in the garden... The paths shine so bright in the moonlight, they look like molten silver. It’s quite a sight.” He goes on: “I still stop in my tracks when I come down for breakfast and see the sun flickering across the dining room windows, lighting up the deepest corners of the house. It hits me every time.”
The “Neo-Basque” Style
The property has a unique personality that has much to do with its architecture and wealth of interior detail — it’s “a very good example of what has been described as the ‘Neo-Basque’ style. So much so that the Architects’ Association uses it as a case study,” explains Juan.
The architect, Luis María Smith Ybarra, “was the best in the region at the time, and probably one of the most talented architects in Spain.” Even a casual observer can appreciate the vision and skill behind his work, but “the longer you spend here, the more you notice certain special little details that are just so beautifully done.”
Add in a stunning swimming pool, traditional Basque txoko or covered dining area, pelota court, vegetable garden and a diverse mix of fruit-bearing and old-growth trees and you (and your guests) will never want to leave. “If I had to design a house from scratch, this is exactly what I’d have in mind, without a doubt,” Juan concludes.
Don’t miss an episode — click here. If you would like to share your thoughts on the series, subscribe to our YouTube channel and leave a comment. In the next episode, we’ll be travelling to another of Spain’s most spectacular landscapes: the Escalante Marshes.
