Building on Impossible Terrain: Casa Magarola by Raúl Sánchez.

Photography: José Hevia.

Building on a vertically sloping site sounds like architectural suicide. But that’s exactly what Raúl Sánchez pulled off with Casa Magarola in Sant Cugat del Vallés, Barcelona. The resulting house barely kisses the ground while floating over some seriously dramatic terrain.

Most architects would take one look at this site and reach for the excavator. Not Sánchez. Instead of fighting the steep slate rock, he designed a home that works with gravity rather than against it. The building sits on just a few concrete supports—think of them as skinny legs—leaving almost everything untouched beneath.

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Raúl Sánchez portrait by Yves Drieghe.

From street level, Casa Magarola appears to be just another house. Walk around back, and you’ll see it’s actually suspended in mid-air, stretching out over the slope like it’s defying physics. The entry isn’t even a front door—it’s a massive outdoor dining area with a concrete and stone table built right into the structure. Dinner with a view, anyone?

Inside, the main floor wraps around a central block containing stairs and services, leaving the entire edge free for living. The valley-facing wall is pure glass from floor to ceiling, with tree branches literally touching the windows. A built-in bench runs the full width, creating the perfect spot to take in those mountain views.

The house follows the golden ratio in its proportions, but you don’t need a maths degree to appreciate how balanced it feels. Three sides are fairly closed off for privacy, while the valley side opens completely. There’s even a colour shift—the valley-facing wall gets a subtle yellow tone that sets it apart from the earthier colours elsewhere.

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The sustainability game is strong here, too. Radiant heating throughout, solar panels on the roof, and a rainwater collection system. The entire house is wrapped in insulation that eliminates heat loss, while cross-ventilation keeps the space naturally comfortable. And here’s the kicker—they only had to remove two trees from a site with over forty.

For a budget under €400K, this house proves you don’t need millions to create something extraordinary. You just need an architect willing to see a 100% slope as an opportunity rather than an obstacle.

Casa Magarola is living proof that sometimes the most impossible sites make the most unforgettable homes.

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[Images courtesy of Raúl Sánchez Architects. Photography by José Hevia.]