Casa Vertical
Casa Vertical is a 240 m² second home located on a steeply sloping site with restricted access. These conditions shaped the project from the outset, leading to a compact vertical strategy that minimises intervention on the landscape while simplifying construction. The 6 × 14 m footprint is organised across three levels, allowing each floor to engage directly with its surroundings, maximise natural light and open towards the landscape. The structure frees the interiors from intermediate supports, creating flexible, continuous spaces.
Timber is the project’s integral construction system, defining its structure, spatial organisation and architectural expression. CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) panels, manufactured by Hilam, are used throughout the structure and interiors, including walls, doors, furniture and finishes. This unified material system creates continuity between structure and finish while streamlining prefabrication and assembly.
The project’s main innovation lies in its high degree of industrialisation. Given the site’s difficult access, most of the construction process was transferred to the factory, where the CLT elements were precisely dimensioned, machined and coordinated in advance. Electrical and plumbing installations were incorporated during the design stage, with openings precisely prefabricated into the panels. This approach reduced on-site work and construction time while improving precision.
The timber structure is raised above a concrete plinth, separating it from the ground and protecting it from moisture. This design strategy contributes to the durability and long-term performance of the system.
Casa Vertical demonstrates the potential of industrialised timber construction to address complex sites while using wood as a comprehensive architectural system. Its renewable nature, low carbon footprint and capacity for prefabrication contribute to a more sustainable construction approach, while its material expression gives the project continuity, warmth and a coherent architectural identity.
