Bojaus Arquitectura situated House X on a gently sloping rocky terrain characterized by a centuries-old oak tree along with holm oaks and kermes oaks growing among massive granite boulders The house’s design takes cues from Coderch’s Ugalde House incorporating an X-shaped floor plan that adapts to the irregular landscape This configuration frames views of the surrounding environment emphasizing the home’s deep connection with nature images © Luis Asín Bojaus Arquitectura constructed House X entirely from on-site concrete mixed with local aggregates ensuring a strong connection to its immediate surroundings built in 60-centimeter (24 inch)-high layers include insulation between inner and outer concrete layers Exposed stones embedded in the concrete enhance the house’s aesthetic While conventional houses are typically designed for a lifespan of fifty years aiming to endure for generations as a permanent fixture within its natural setting Bojaus Arquitectura designs House X to harmonize with the rugged landscape of Serranía de Cuenca the team at Bojaus Arquitectura approaches sustainability through long-term durability rather than fleeting trends The thoughtfully-designed residence proposes an alternative model — one that prioritizes permanence over the often superficial representations of eco-conscious design By deeply embedding the structure within the landscape much like the surrounding granite boulders and ancient trees will remain an integral part of the environment for many years to come the house takes inspiration from ancient Castilian fortresses and traditional homes in Monsanto Portugal House X is positioned on a sloping rocky terrain surrounded by oak trees and granite boulders the X-shaped floor plan adapts to the irregular landscape and frames views of the surrounding nature the structure is built entirely from on-site concrete mixed with local aggregates for a strong connection to its setting thick concrete walls with embedded stones provide insulation and a durable long-term construction approach the design prioritizes longevity over conventional sustainability trends emphasizing permanence in the landscape architect: Bojaus Arquitectura photography: © Luis Asín | @asinluis project manager: Ignacio Buzzanca Casasús AXOR presents three bathroom concepts that are not merely places of function but destinations in themselves — sanctuaries of style The bullring of Valdemorillo hosts a Christmas food truck festival from December 13 to 15 with food and activities for the whole family It will be held from December 13 to 15 in the bullring of La Candelaria and admission is completely free there will be two dining areas where you can sit and enjoy the food In this first edition of the Christmas foodtrucks festival the following four are participating: activities for all ages have also been programmed such as a tribute concert to music from the eighties and nineties by the artist Darwin magic show or DJ performances to liven up the night this Christmas gastronomic festival will make a stop in Colmenar Viejo from 20 to 22 December own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment University of Leeds provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation UK View all partners Spain’s bullfighting season traditionally kicks off in February in Valdemorillo a small town located approximately 40km outside of Madrid star matador Morante de la Puebla has confirmed his appearance In a profession characterised by internal divisions there is a growing sense that the coming season needs to be a success if bullfighting is not to disappear altogether the xenophobic and anti-immigration Vox party exploited anti-Catalan and pro-bullfighting sentiment in its campaigning and has become the third-biggest force in Spanish politics Morante de la Puebla often joins party leader Santiago Abascal on the campaign trail But Vox has more to gain from the relationship than bullfighters especially in rural areas where Abascal’s party has successfully attracted single-issue pro-bullfighting and hunting voters The far-right has provided some protection for the profession but it has also turned it into a more highly prized target An increasing number of progressive citizens have a visceral dislike of bullfighting because it is seen as the last bastion for reactionaries with no place in a 21st-century European democracy In the cultural wars of contemporary Spain the anti-bullfighting lobby is often too quick to brand aficionados as the cigar-smoking relics of the Francoist regime preclude any debate on its future by dismissing all potential objections out of hand as manifestations of puritanical censorship it is virtually impossible to have a serious debate on bullfighting an emotive subject which has been weaponised by politicians across the ideological spectrum The presence of Morante de la Puebla at the event gave this the look of a deliberate provocation Fighting bulls inherit their names from their mother so these monikers will have been handed down to the bulls from previous generations rather than having been thought of afresh The first bull faced by the legendary Manolete as a fully fledged matador in 1939 had been baptised “El Comunista” (The Communist) under the short-lived Second Republic (1931-36) Such a name was anathema following General Franco’s victory in the Civil War (1936-39) and “The Communist” was diplomatically renamed “El mirador” (The Viewer) Either way, the case is an example of how the bullfighting lobby has become something of an echo chamber. There is often a failure to understand how it is perceived from the outside. An open letter by the president of the Fighting Bulls Association was a gift to satirists with its claims that the closure of the Gijon venue was somehow comparable to the destruction of religious artefacts by fundamentalists: forget that neither the Buddhas of Bamiyan nor the bulls belong to them but are rather common heritage of mankind.” aficionados have had their way for too long and now is the time to listen to the many citizens of Gijon who oppose bullfighting animal rights activists have organised large demonstrations outside of the bullring they have taken the moral high ground by staying at home while accusing the impresario of posing a danger to public (as well as animal) health It faces particular challenges that will make survival even harder as the pandemic lingers But with an ageing audience and some social distancing measures likely to remain in place the return of corridas requires a sacrifice from matadors and breeders They will have to significantly reduce their fees if impresarios are to break even There are fixed costs associated with bullfighting that make it difficult to do on a smaller scale Tales of the demise in popularity appear much exaggerated when major corridas can attract 10,000 plus spectators fewer contracts are on the table as provincial rings close there will probably not be a specific day on which bullfighting ends but it seems unlikely to thrive in its current guise for much longer wood-fired ovens and mountain views: eating in these restaurants in the mountains is a perfect break from the city have been gaining a foothold and expanding an increasingly higher offer (in height 📍Location:Juan de Austria street, 7 (San Lorenzo de El Escorial). At the helm of La Casa de Manolo Franco is now Manu, as he is amicably called for being the son of the founder of this restaurant in the mountains of Madrid. After traveling the world thanks to sports journalism and writing several books, Manolo Franco (son) returned home to continue his father’s legacy and give a new look to the family restaurant. Now it is a cuisine of local produce, modern, of which the Michelin Guide highlights its ambition and desire to surprise. 📍Location: Calle La Fuente, 6 (Valdemorillo). The raclette from the Swiss Alps can also be tasted in this restaurant in the mountains of Madrid. This dish has a great protagonist which is the cow’s milk cheese that is made in the canton of Valais, and in some regions of France, and as happens to the fondue, it is very strong. So it’s great to get your strength back after a long, cold walk through Navacerrada (village, not the pass). They have a fireplace if you want to add romance to the plan. 📍Location: travesía de las Huertas, 6 (Navacerrada) View this post on Instagram Yeyu is next to the central square of Cercedilla, so the plan is twofold: eat well and sightseeing in rural Madrid (without breathing the polluted air beret). In their menu they have a good offer of marinades: bonito, quail, partridge and rabbit, among others. They also have meats from the mountains of Cercedilla and a long list of spoon dishes -as is typical in the area. Sala is a large restaurant with several areas: lounge, bar, tapas area, terrace perfect for celebrations and chill out for the summer. They have specific menus for groups and the spaciousness of the space allows for meetings, but if they are known for something it is for their seafood (especially prawns). They claim to have the best in Madrid. You must also try their vermouth, even better if accompanied by the boletus and white truffle croquettes. 📍Location: carretera de los Molinos, 2 (Guadarrama). 📍Location:Carretera de las Dehesas, 33 (Cercedilla). 📍Location:Calle del Rey Juan Carlos I, 29 (Santa María de la Alameda). 📍Location:Pradillos street, 11 (Los Molinos). 📍Location: Calle de la Virgen de las Nieves, 7 (Puerto de Navacerrada). View this post on Instagram Carande is another of the restaurants in the mountains that has managed to give a twist to the traditional has worked in such renowned kitchens as DSTAgE and Zuberoa with Hilario Arbelaitz but don’t leave without ordering one of its desserts Its menu has avant-garde elaborations and presentations and the prices are adjusted to the quality offered OOIIO Architecture plays with bold geometries for ‘LLO House,’ a single-family dwelling in Valdemorillo, Spain The final composition presents itself as a series of angular volumes that interconnect and point in different directions framing scenic views of the mountainous landscape around Madrid The presence of several trees and rocks on the property was a great challenge that led the team to intervene gently in the existing vegetation with a design that slides through it Taking shape as a large spatial pinwheel — as mentioned by the architects — the project aims to open up to the horizon but also itself becomes a sculpture with expressive forms of materials and shapes the house emerges with vague boundaries and invites one to discover them gradually by walking around it ‘Wandering around the building, a passer-by discovers that the house is never the same, it has a thousand faces.’ shares the Madrid-based studio. ‘It is a house that looks to several different points a shadow that throws with a specific inclination but never the same as before.’all images by Javier de Paz showcases a similar character following earthy tones expressed throughout the spaces.  A series of fired clay mosaics combined with wood in natural and mint green tones are strategically positioned in the central staircase thus achieving aesthetic continuity between in and out   the functions are distributed among the various masses the house appears different depending on the angles of view clay-type ceramic pieces in reddish and grayish tones decorate the exterior the exterior skin is defined by the characteristic large ceramic tiles the interior is expressed in a similar design language to the exterior  name: LLO House — The House of a Thousand Faces architects: OOIIO Architecture | @ooiio_architecture design team: Joaquín Millán Villamuelas builder: Construcciones y Reformas Carrión s.l