Casa SM2 by Lourdes Martínez Nieto: a dialogue between tradition and modernity in the Sierra de Madrid

Set in a privileged enclave of the Sierra de Madrid, where the serenity of a protected pine forest can be enjoyed, Casa SM2 rises in harmony with its surroundings. Designed by Lourdes Martínez Nieto for a couple from northern Spain who decided to relocate to Madrid, this single-family residence is an exercise in balance—melding the warmth of local tradition with the freshness of contemporary architecture.

The plot, embraced by nature and bathed in eastern views, inspired the project’s concept from the outset. All main living spaces are oriented towards this scenery, making the landscape an essential part of daily life. Two main volumes, connected by pitched slate roofs converging in a central gallery, define the house: one more social in nature, clad in stone; the other more intimate and private, finished in lime render.

Entry is through the gallery—a transitional space linking the main façade to the rear landscape. Here, a guest bathroom and closets precede the two souls of the house: the txokos and the main residence.

The txokos, both indoor and outdoor, are designed to host over twenty guests around food and conviviality. Expansive windows frame the surrounding views, while outside, a porch with an open kitchen, grill, and burruntxi becomes the perfect stage for open-air gatherings.

The residential area unfolds as an open-plan space integrating kitchen, dining, and living under exposed wooden beams that heighten the sense of warmth. From here, one ascends to the tallest volume, where bedrooms and bathrooms offer a private, tranquil retreat. Visual connection with the landscape is constant, blurring the boundaries between indoors and out.

The architectural language is rooted in noble, local materials: stone and limestone for the more public volumes; lime render for the private areas; and wood flowing across floors and ceilings. Steel-framed windows with arches converse with the region’s architectural tradition, while purer geometric forms in other volumes introduce a contemporary touch. Inside, marbles, quartzites, raffia, and wood planks bring a subtle material richness, elevating the character of certain rooms without breaking the overall harmony.

Casa SM2 is not merely a home—it is a declaration of respect for the landscape and tradition, reinterpreted for the present. It is an architecture that welcomes, opens itself to nature, and, through its spaces, celebrates everyday life and moments of togetherness with equal intensity.

Project: Casa Sm2
Architecture & Interior Design: Lourdes Martínez Nieto.
Location: Sierra de Madrid.
Built area: 440 m².
Plot: 1.210 m².
Completion: 2022.
Styling: Beatriz Torelló.
Photography: Belén Imaz.
Source: Lourdes Martínez Nieto.

Lourdes Martínez Nieto

Galician by origin and in love with Madrid, Lourdes Martínez Nieto is an architect trained at the Polytechnic University of Madrid and holds a Master’s degree from the Fachhochschule Düsseldorf. Her professional career took shape in two leading names in contemporary architecture in London: Foster + Partners and Conran + Partners. There, she learned that every element and every decision demand reflection, precision, and meticulous attention to detail.

Her entrepreneurial spirit led her, in 2017, to establish her own practice in Madrid: Lourdes Martínez Nieto Architecture and Interior Design Studio. Here, she has combined the design rigour gained through her international experience with a unique personal sensitivity, turning each project into an intimate narrative capable of reflecting the lifestyle and aspirations of its inhabitants.

For Lourdes, architecture is a universe in which every gesture matters: “building a space is as important as choosing a piece of furniture.” Guided by this holistic vision, she works alongside landscape designers, art consultants, and other specialists to attend to every detail—from noble materials to the light that envelops each room—transforming the everyday into the exceptional.

Her practice knows no scale: whether new builds, refurbishments, or full renovations, each is approached with the same passion and commitment, bringing identity, warmth, and humanity to every space. Convinced of the harmony between interior and setting, Lourdes embraces an architecture that welcomes and endures.

Project by Lourdes Martínez Nieto