DISCIPLINE: Architecture, Interior Design & Landscape Architecture
LOCATION: Sierra de Grazalema, Andalusia, Spain
YEAR: 2024
AREA: 850 sqm
STATUS: Concept / Competition Entry
CLIENT: Private Hospitality Group
PHOTOS: © Wolfblanc Architects

AN ANDALUSIAN OASIS

Set against the rugged limestone peaks of the Andalusian sierra, SELVA is a boutique sanctuary that reimagines the traditional cortijo as a lush, introspective retreat. While the exterior respects the vernacular architecture—whitewashed walls, terracotta tiling, and deep recessed windows—the interior unveils a hidden world of deep hues and tactile luxury, conceived as a “secret garden” protected from the harsh Spanish sun.

The Concept: The Osmosis of Nature
The design concept, “Refined Wilderness,” posits the hotel as a permeable membrane between the untamed landscape and the guest experience. In a region defined by intense light and heat, the interiors offer a cooling, shadowed embrace. The design does not merely mimic nature; it distills its essence into a sophisticated material palette:

• The Canopy: The pervasive use of deep moss-green velvet drapes and upholstery translates the dense shade of the surrounding olive and oak groves into architectural softness.
• The Sun: Brushed brass lighting fixtures and gold accents reinterpret the dappled sunlight filtering through leaves, casting warm, controlled pools of light in the evening.
• The Earth: Dark Emperador marble and terrazzo flooring ground the space, referencing the cool, stony riverbeds of the nearby valley.

Architecture & Landscape Integration
The project scope involved the rehabilitation of three existing agrarian structures and the landscape design of the central courtyard. The boundaries between indoor and outdoor are deliberately blurred. The central atrium features double-height glazing that frames ancient olive trees, while the restaurant extends into a “living botanical lounge” where native ferns and climbing ivy reclaim the masonry.

Sustainability is woven into the architecture. The thick existing walls provide thermal mass, while new passive ventilation systems utilize the courtyard microclimate to cool the suites naturally. Water features are not just aesthetic but part of a greywater filtration system that nourishes the “Selva” gardens.

SELVA is not just a hotel; it is an atmospheric shift. It is a place where the pulse slows to the rhythm of the land, offering guests a sanctuary where the wilderness is tamed just enough to be comfortable, yet present enough to be transformative.