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Casa Aljibe — Home Built In & Over an Old Cistern


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Miguel and his family all live in a number of homes on the family’s property in Spain. He wanted to do something to preserve the cistern that the main house used to draw water from, but it had been a storage room for years. With the help of his architect nephew, Alejandro Valdivieso, they designed a remarkable structure that pays homage to the cistern’s past.

The bedroom and bathroom are tucked underground in the original concrete cistern, while above-the-ground, they created a pre-fab structure that curves in line with the old well and patio. While not tiny by any means, this re-use of existing space (instead of destroying the past) is a great step toward sustainability.

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Architect Designs Uncle’s Glass-Front Home

Casa Aljibe — Home Built In & Over an Old Cistern

Images by Kirsten Dirksen

The pre-fab structure only took 5 days to build.

Casa Aljibe — Home Built In & Over an Old Cistern 3

Images by Kirsten Dirksen

A wall of glass makes this a welcoming spot for Miguel’s many nearby relatives.

Casa Aljibe — Home Built In & Over an Old Cistern 2

Images by Kirsten Dirksen

Here you get a glimpse of the original cistern.

Casa Aljibe — Home Built In & Over an Old Cistern 4

Images by Kirsten Dirksen

VIDEO: Turns depleted water tank into curved, partially buried home

Highlights:

  • Originally a cistern for the large family home
  • Had been a storage room for 50+ years
  • The cistern itself houses the bedroom and bathroom area
  • Atop the cistern is the living space
  • Pre-fab design
  • Took 5 days to assemble
  • Glass wall curves around old well
  • Original patio kept as flooring

Learn more:

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Our big thanks to James D. for sharing! 🙏

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Natalie C. McKee

Natalie C. McKee is a contributor for Tiny House Talk and the Tiny House Newsletter. She's a wife, and mama of three little kids. She and her family are homesteaders with sheep, goats, chickens, ducks and quail on their happy little acre.

Latest posts by Natalie C. McKee (see all)

{ 4 comments… add one }
  • Brenda Foster
    April 5, 2022, 5:48 pm

    Wonderful! I love when the history of a structure is woven into a present usefulness. Will be a treasure and a work of art for the family for generations to come. Well done, and thank you for sharing with us. Brenda

  • Monya Churchill
    April 6, 2022, 12:23 pm

    This is STUNNING!

  • Matthew Davila
    April 14, 2022, 9:36 pm

    The Spanish from Spain is pleasing to hear

  • Renee
    May 16, 2022, 10:15 pm

    This is the most inspiring, incredible and fabulous house I have ever seen ! By far…

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