Terrazza Ecohousing
The design of the Terrazza project prioritises respect for the environment, using materials such as wood and thermo-clay, measures to control erosion on the plot and a planting policy to recover the native landscape. Passive and active measures, geothermal and solar energy, have been implemented to optimise energy consumption and adapt environmental standards, normally from cold climates and based on airtightness, to Mediterranean life. The aim has been to design spaces that allow outdoor living while maintaining good indoor environmental quality.
Healthy aspects or aspects that contribute to wellbeing have also been central to our design agenda. We use natural materials such as clay, stone and wood, avoiding industrial materials that may affect the health of the inhabitants. These choices not only benefit the residents, but also help to avoid soil contamination and integrate the building into a regenerated natural landscape.
The orientation of the buildings and gardens is directed towards the cardinal points to make the most of sunlight and local winds, thus optimising the environmental conditions in each interior room. In addition, the house has been designed with a sinuous façade that allows the creation of interior and exterior corners with attractive views of the garden and the surroundings. Accessibility, also one of our design priorities, is ensured by placing the fundamental rooms on a single floor and adapted for people of all ages and physical conditions.
We seek a warm contemporaneity that blends in with its surroundings without losing its identity, avoiding the literal imitation of traditional architectural styles, although learning a lot from vernacular architecture, and prioritising an aesthetic and visual expression of environmental sensitivity. The warmth of natural materials has been sought to be perceptible both inside and outside, avoiding the faithful copying of traditional architecture and opting for a design that fuses the vernacular with the contemporary.
The house has been designed to fuse the interior with the exterior through a scheme that aligns its spaces with the cardinal points and offers a continuous transition to the garden. Each room includes an indoor area and an outdoor space that expands its functionality, such as areas for meditation, an outdoor kitchen by the pool, and an outdoor bathroom inspired by the Japanese onsen. This design seeks to transform the Mediterranean lifestyle in response to climate change, promoting outdoor spaces in a protected and natural environment. The design incorporates textile marquees, OSB beams, and a multi-layer facade to improve ventilation and sun protection. The main floor is a diaphanous space with kitchen and living room areas facing West and South, while the night area has bedrooms that open to the garden. The basement, with access by a ramp and garden patio, houses a detached apartment that can be adapted to the owner's needs and meets passivehaus standards. Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s houses, the facade uses natural lime and insulation systems to provide comfort and energy efficiency.
Terrazza Ecohousing presents a hybrid structure of wood and steel, where laminated timber is used in the main beams and OSB in the secondary ones. In contrast, steel covers the exterior to improve stiffness and reduce maintenance. This design strategy combines the advantages of both materials, taking advantage of the resistance of steel to protect the parts of the structure most exposed to the weather. At the same time, wood, which has better performance indoors, is used in the protected areas of the building. The arrangement of the materials follows a hierarchy in which lighter wooden structures rely on steel, which provides excellent stability. The steel used has been treated and protected with special coatings, avoiding welds on-site by bolted joints, which also facilitates future modifications. In terms of safety, rigorous fire regulations have been implemented to ensure the structural strength of the wood in case of fire.
