Domehome Expansion by EME157: Cork Dome in Madrid

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Lush green vertical garden on a modern residential building, showcasing innovative architecture and eco-friendly design

In Aravaca, Madrid, the Domehome Expansion by EME157 project demonstrates how bold architectural solutions can transform a family home into a multigenerational living environment. Completed in 2023, this 1937-square-foot project adorns a brick house with a lightweight cork dome, creating an independent apartment for the owners' son while preserving the original look of the house.

A New Crown Element for a Brick House

The main architectural challenge was how to add an additional floor to the existing brick structure—already weakened by an abundance of vegetation—without overburdening it. Architects chose a dome shape that achieves two goals at once:

Inside: Provides spacious rooms and adequate height.
Outside: Reduces the perception of height, maintaining harmony with the cubic forms of the existing house.

To further distinguish this new element, cork cladding was selected. Light, insulating, and textured cork contrasts with the strength of brick, complementing its earthy tones. A zinc dome roof adds elegance, highlighting the modern expression of the dome.

Spatial Strategy for Interior Design

The expansion transforms the former terrace into a fully independent apartment:

First Floor (538 sq ft / 50 m²): includes an entrance area, bedroom, and bathroom.
Upper Floor (1399 sq ft / 130 m²): divided into public and private zones.

The private zone includes a bedroom and bathroom, while the public area combines the kitchen, dining room, and living room in an open layout with large north-facing windows. The preserved circular skylight, once used for lighting the staircase, now fills the new apartment with natural light.

Material Color Palette: Cold Meets Warm

The interior is defined by a minimal palette of contrasting materials:

Sandy mortar floors create a sense of rough, earthy texture.
Polished stainless steel is used for kitchen countertops and fixtures.
Wood chip board and linoleum are applied to furniture, cabinets, and doors—adding warmth and tactility.

Exposed concrete beams and columns from the original structure meet thin, sky-blue steel columns in the new addition—blending smoothly with the sky and views beyond.

Architecture of Flexibility and Individuality

The Domehome Expansion balances innovation with contextual sensitivity. It is a light yet sturdy, distinct yet integrative project that transforms a family home into a flexible multigenerational environment, celebrating material honesty and spatial ingenuity.