El Riad de l'Empordà: More than a house, a liveable garden

Introduction: When a house is much more than four walls

There is a type of accommodation that cannot simply be described as a "rural house". A space where the boundary between indoors and outdoors dissolves, where architecture does not dominate the landscape but belongs to it, and where every corner has been designed to awaken the senses and calm the mind. At El Riad de l'Empordà, in Capmany, we have given a name to this philosophy: living garden.

A living garden is, by definition, a space where life takes place mainly outdoors, where nature is not a backdrop but the true protagonist, and where architecture serves as a bridge between human beings and their surroundings. It is not a new concept —Mediterranean and Eastern cultures have always understood the home as a space open to the sky and the elements—, but it is a philosophy that today, in a hyperconnected and stressful world, has regained all its relevance and necessity.

Capmany: Where it all begins

To understand El Riad de l'Empordà, you must first understand the place where it stands. Capmany is a small village in the Alt Empordà, in the province of Girona, nestled among vineyards of the DO Empordà and at the foot of the Serra de l'Albera, where the Pyrenees meet the Mediterranean. It is a land of intense light, of the tramontane wind that cleanses the sky and the soul, of dry stone and centuries-old cork oaks.

In this privileged setting, just 15 minutes from Figueres and the Dalí Museum, and 25 minutes from the unspoilt coves of the Costa Brava, El Riad de l'Empordà rises. A 2,000 m² property of Mediterranean gardens that is, at once, a haven of peace and a starting point for exploring one of the richest and most fascinating territories in Catalonia.

The architecture of the living garden: Toni Gironès and the dialogue with the earth

The concept of a living garden would not be possible without an architecture that makes it real. At El Riad de l'Empordà, architect Toni Gironès —one of the most prominent names in contemporary Catalan architecture— has created a space that is both a work of art and a functional retreat. The project was a finalist at the Architecture Awards of the Province of Girona and its model has been exhibited at the Architecture Museum of Madrid.

Its five circular rooms, partially embedded in the earth, require no air conditioning thanks to the thermal inertia of the ground. Its stone huts on the upper level evoke the ancestral constructions of Empordà shepherds. And everything together —rooms, garden, outdoor kitchen, natural pool— forms a coherent and harmonious whole that invites you to live outdoors.

The elements of the garden: An ecosystem of wellbeing

The garden at El Riad de l'Empordà is not just a green space. It is an ecosystem of wellbeing designed to activate the senses and foster disconnection. Every element has a purpose and a function:

The natural pool is the heart of the garden. With its riverstone bottom and four water outlets that create a relaxing cascade effect, it is much more than a swimming pool. It is a meeting point, a space of freshness, and a sound focus that accompanies every moment of the day with its constant murmur.

The outdoor kitchen with Moroccan oven is the space for communal living. Equipped with a barbecue, gas cooker and the undisputed star —the wood-fired Moroccan oven—, it is the place where meals become ceremonies. With seating for 16-24 people under a natural raffia roof, it is the ideal setting for open-air dinners that extend well into the night.

The rest areas —hammocks between the trees, wooden benches, the viewpoint overlooking the Serra de l'Albera— are spaces for nothingness, for reading, for unhurried conversation. Spaces that contemporary culture has forgotten but that our body and mind desperately need.

The aromatic garden, with rosemary, thyme and lavender, perfumes the air and acts as a constant natural aromatherapy. Its herbs are used to prepare infusions that can be enjoyed at any time of day.

The philosophy of the four elements: Earth, Water, Fire and Air

At El Riad de l'Empordà, the living garden philosophy takes shape through the constant presence of the four primordial elements:

Earth is the foundation of everything. The circular rooms are born from the earth, the materials —stone, wood, iron— come from the earth, and the garden is the earth at its most alive and generous. Connecting with the earth means connecting with the present, with what is real and tangible.

Water is life and movement. The natural pool, the outdoor showers, the curved bathtubs hidden beneath the wooden floors of the rooms... Water is omnipresent at El Riad and acts as a purifying and regenerative element.

Fire is warmth and gathering. The torches that illuminate the private patios of each room, the embers of the barbecue, the flame of the Moroccan oven... Fire summons, gathers and creates the context for conversations that matter.

Air is the tramontane, the characteristic wind of the Empordà that, far from being a nuisance, is a gift. It cleans the sky to an intense blue, cools summer nights and reminds us that we live in a vibrant and dynamic territory.

Who is El Riad de l'Empordà for?

El Riad de l'Empordà is an exclusive accommodation for groups of up to 14 people seeking a different experience. It is not a hotel, nor a conventional country house. It is a private, intimate and exclusive space, perfect for:

• Family celebrations and gatherings of friends seeking exclusivity and authenticity.
• Wellness, yoga or meditation retreats in a privileged natural setting.
• Gastronomic getaways to discover Moroccan cuisine and the products of the Empordà.
• Work teams looking for a space for creativity sessions and disconnection.
• Couples and groups who want to celebrate special moments in a unique setting.

Book your stay at the living garden

If you have read this far, it is because something in you resonates with our philosophy. The living garden is not just an architectural concept; it is a way of living, an invitation to slow down and enjoy what truly matters. At El Riad de l'Empordà, we are waiting to make you feel that, for a few days, time is yours.