CA’N GALLINETA
The starting point is an elongated plot with a gentle slope. The proposal adapts to this terrain by positioning the house on the higher part of the site with a linear form. This minimizes earth movement and allows the dwelling to enjoy a long south-facing façade.
To reduce visual impact and improve integration into the landscape, the house is conceived entirely on one floor. A new plantation of carob trees will hide the building from the road, while its position next to an existing pine grove conceals it from the higher ground behind the site.
The house is organized as a series of rectangular volumes, slightly shifted from one another, creating patios and porches in between. These shifts also break up the linearity and length of the façade. All volumes are unified under a large single-pitch roof, which gives coherence to the composition. In contrast to this sloping roof, a horizontal element is introduced: a plinth formed by a sequence of porches and pergolas. This rhythm of vertical supports reduces the apparent height of the façade.
These porches, with their repeated pillars at regular intervals, take inspiration from traditional water conduits found in the Mallorcan countryside.
The functional layout of the house is straightforward: service and circulation spaces are placed along the north façade (covered with cane-vaulted ceilings), connecting to the main south-facing rooms. These passages, with varying dimensions, acquire character as they accommodate different uses such as the study, the entrance hall, or the kitchen. Two separate bedroom wings are located at opposite ends of the house, ensuring privacy between parents and children.
The construction system is based on 30 cm cellular concrete load-bearing walls, which provide excellent insulation and eliminate thermal bridges. Their low weight enables fast and simple execution, while generating minimal waste—waste that can be crushed and reused for joints. The material requires little energy in its production compared to other solutions, resulting in a low ecological footprint and high energy efficiency.
Particular attention has been given to passive design strategies: south orientation, limited openings to the north and west, and shading through porches, pergolas, and deciduous vegetation. Active strategies are also integrated, such as a high-efficiency ventilation system with heat recovery.
Finally, the project emphasizes the use of low-impact, locally sourced materials: lime render on the façades, natural roof insulation with Neptune balls (Posidonia oceanica) collected nearby, and recycled crushed ceramic used for exterior surfaces.
