Barcelona-based studio Twobo Arquitectura has completed Casa Tres Patis, a 300-square-metre family residence structured around three distinctive patios. Located in Albons near the ancient Greek city ruins of Empúries, the home reflects a revival of Mediterranean courtyard living.
Mediterranean courtyard concept drives design
The house features three interconnected pavilions, each framed in steel and concrete. These are arranged around three separate patios, with a covered concrete walkway weaving them together. According to studio co-founder Pablo Twose, the patio serves as the “gravitational centre” of the home.
“We wanted to recover the patio as a foundational element of Mediterranean dwelling – already present in Greek and Roman architecture – and make it the true gravitational centre of the project,” said Twose.
He added that the home is intended to function as a “domestic microcosm”, where both open and built spaces are equally vital.
Pavilions and patios with distinct identities
Each pavilion has a defined use: living areas, bedrooms, and guest quarters. These are separated by patios that echo traditional Mediterranean typologies:
- The entrance patio resembles a town square, complete with a pétanque court and a central tree.
- A second patio features a shallow water pool inspired by the Roman impluvium, once used for bathing and natural cooling.
- The third patio, at the southern end, houses a herb garden and connects to an outdoor kitchen and dining space, inspired by monastic cloisters.
This layout encourages movement through open-air zones. A sheltered walkway guides residents between the living spaces, bedrooms, garage, and workshop, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor life.
“The project sees the house as an open diagram,” explained Twose. “Moving between patios defines the experience of inhabiting the space. Life flows porously between these movements.”
A balance between raw and refined materials
Material selection reflects a contrast between industrial and handmade textures. Concrete and steel structures are paired with hollow brick screens and hand-applied lime plaster. Inside, dark wood panelling, custom storage, and tiled surfaces soften the white-painted steel and polished concrete floors.
The interiors are deliberately warm, offering a balance to the home’s structured geometry. This interplay reinforces the home’s concept: a living system shaped by both shelter and openness.