Colonia Tercio y Terol, Residential architectural ensemble in San Isidro, Madrid, Spain.
Colonia Tercio y Terol is a residential ensemble consisting of 640 single-family townhouses arranged in rows, each featuring white-trimmed windows and traditional two-slope tiled roofs. The houses follow a regular pattern, with green spaces and maintained pathways connecting the different housing blocks.
The development was built between 1942 and 1951 by the General Directorate of Devastated Regions to address Madrid's urgent housing shortage following the civil war. The project was part of a broader reconstruction program aimed at supplying destroyed and overcrowded areas with modern residential spaces.
The neighborhood is organized around a central garden square, with narrow streets and enclosed courtyards that reflect traditional Spanish rural settlement patterns. This layout creates an intimate setting where residents and visitors can observe daily life in shared spaces.
The neighborhood is best explored on foot, as the narrow streets and quiet roads make walking pleasant. There are public access points to the central garden plaza and several small green spaces where visitors can sit and rest.
The ensemble combines design elements from German housing settlements with regional Spanish characteristics, creating a distinct character that sets it apart from other residential complexes in Madrid. This blend is particularly visible in the regular house arrangement and the architectural details of the facades.
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