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In the quiet agricultural landscape of Vilamacolum, Casa Al Pradet rises as a cluster of modular volumes, recalling how traditional country houses in Catalonia evolved – one addition at a time.

WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Montse Capdevila

Casa Al Pradet is anchored in the history of its site and shaped by the cycles of the seasons. Conceived as a self-build by architect Clara Crous and her partner, Carles, the house rises on a triangular plot framed by the agricultural plains that define the Alt Empordà and echo Carles’s own farming heritage.

The build was intentionally aligned with the rhythm of the land, beginning at the end of the corn harvest, when local labour was available to join the project. What might have seemed a practical coincidence quickly became a guiding principle, tying the cycles of agriculture to the pace of construction.

The house is structured around a light timber frame, prefabricated in Carles’s own workshop to optimise time and effort. From this framework, Casa Al Pradet unfolds as a series of modules of varying shapes and heights – its staggered volumes responding to the triangular geometry of the plot and the fragmented layout of traditional country houses in the area, blending naturally into the rural landscape.

Because of its location, the house reflects Clara and Carles’s considered approach to blending traditional elements with modern solutions. Shutters have been motorised and are controlled by a smart system that responds to sun exposure and wind, while a perimeter of ceramic gravel manages drainage.

Local and natural materials shape every aspect of the project: cork, lime mortar, adobe, hydraulic tiles and handmade ceramics are used across floors, skirtings, exterior surfaces and delicate architectural details. Inside, wood defines both structure and furniture, weaving a sense of continuity and warmth. The result is a home built from within, one that captures the spirit and rhythms of Catalan life in every detail. | claracrous.com

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