Retina House: A Home with Retina-Like Openings on Its Faca

This unique house was designed by Arnau estudi d'Arquitertura, an architect from Santa Pau, Spain. Its façade features a flexible design that can be opened or closed according to the owner's preferences. Its location near the riverbank provides a unique panoramic view of the house. During the winter season, this house remains warm and comfortable.

The house with various exposed materials in every corner features an elongated beam exterior. This residence has a cantilevered section on one side for its garage area. The dwelling consists of two floors, with the first floor primarily serving as mechanical space and vehicle parking. Meanwhile, the second floor functions as the living area.

There are two entrances to the house, one through the front yard and the other through the rear path. The door on the rear path serves as a private entrance for the residents. Guests, on the other hand, can enter through the front staircase, enjoying a view of the spacious yard and swimming pool. The house is oriented towards the west, with large windows at the front of the house.

The interior of this residence is designed to be open, with the main bedroom and other spaces separated by partitions that also serve as storage shelves. There are no distinct transitions between rooms. The house is equipped with a family room, master bedroom, children's bedroom, dining area, kitchen, and bathroom. It can be said that the spatial design is very simple.

Each room is constructed using modular forms, with 5 rectangular modules in the floor plan. The master bedroom and the children's bedroom are located at the ends of the space, providing privacy for both rooms. Despite having the same dimensions, the master bedroom and the children's bedroom have different furniture arrangements. The master bedroom is equipped with a king-sized bed, while the children's bedroom is designed with bunk beds.

Then, the space between the children's bedroom and the master bedroom is used as a common area. It includes the kitchen, the family room, and the dining area. In the family room or living area, there are sofas and a round carpet. A room heater is also available in this space. From this room, residents are treated to a view of the swimming pool.

Within the same room module, there is a kitchen area located on the eastern wall of the family room. The kitchen has a minimalist and modern design, with wooden hanging cabinets on top. It features an electric stove, an oven, and a sink for washing dishes. It is simple yet beautiful in its design.

The dining room in this house is quite spacious. Being in the central area, it also serves as a circulation space for the residents. The long dining table can accommodate up to 8 people. In this area, there are also floor lamps and a rolling cart used to store various dining accessories.

The materials used in the interior of the house are quite prominent and interesting. Exposed concrete can be seen as the overall framework for the entire space, visible on the walls and ceilings. Meanwhile, the flooring has been finished to be smoother and more comfortable to use. The furniture materials feature more color, using wood for various furniture frames, shelves, partitions, as well as dining tables and chairs.

Occupied by a refugee family, this house is designed to blend seamlessly with nature. Beautiful scenery surrounds the residence when its wooden facade is lifted. In addition to the wooden facade that can transform into a cantilever, there are glass windows to ensure the security of the house. These sliding glass windows can serve as the entrance for guests from the front. When the wooden facade becomes a cantilever, the surrounding trees also help protect the house from the sun. The wooden facade designed like a retina is what makes the house truly unique.

source: archdaily