eco-passive house in spain exposes its wooden frame along with natural stone elements

Puigpunyent Eco-Passive House by Miquel Lacomba

With a background in the design and construction of passive and sustainable buildings with little or no energy demand, studio Miquel Lacomba completes an Eco-Passive house project located in the Valley of Puigpunyent in Majorca, Spain. The design uses the main passive resources, such as south-facing orientation, sunlight control, and high thermal insulation thickness, to ensure that the construction respects the environment and presents low energy consumption while achieving the composition of a comfortable and healthy space. Located in the Sierra de Tramuntana mountain range, the house boasts optimal orientation towards the south and enjoys open views towards the hillside.

east elevation | all images provided by studio Miquel Lacomba

the interior exposes the structure of wooden beams

A small porch grants access to the house and sets up movable vertical slats that can be used to control the sunlight. The interior arranges a living-dining room area, where the position and design of the furniture shape the space. The staircase, which is expressed as another piece of furniture, forms a bookcase underneath it. This room, which faces south, has access to the pergola. The fireplace is adapted to the requirements of air tightness and insulation of the passive house, becoming an element of connection with the rural context. With the same intention of integrating with the environment, the exposed structure of the wooden beams is expressed on the ground and first floor ceilings. The west-facing kitchen stands separate, although visually connected to the living-dining room, with access to the outside. The first floor assembles three south-facing bedrooms and a multi-purpose studio for the family’s artistic activities. The design team pays special attention to the colors and materials for the interior of the house, choosing warm tones, using wood, and natural stone, and covering white walls with lime mortar.

solar panels are located on the roof covering the energy demand of the rest of the house

the design utilizes passive resources throughout

The house uses the main passive resources such as south-facing orientation, sunlight control, high thermal insulation thickness, control of thermal bridges, good air tightness to outside air, the double flow of mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, and high insulation and airtight windows. The solar panels cover the energy demand for the rest of the house. Although it is a passive house, cross ventilation has been taken into account, since on summer nights the natural coolness of the valley is used to cool the structure naturally. The house is built with ecological and sustainable materials, horizontal wood structure from sustainably managed forests, ceramic brick, hydraulic lime mortar, natural cork insulation, and lime-based acrylic finishes on the facade. For the interior finishes, the project utilizes natural oil-based wood products, silicate paints, and stone treatments with A+ and ‘Ecolabel’ seals and ecological and environmentally friendly materials.

In this way, the building envelope of the house has been conceived as a ‘third skin’, all the materials of which allow breathability to water vapor. Materials such as lime, being hygroscopic, allow humidity to be regulated naturally. To minimize the ecological footprint, the ‘kilometer 0’ concept has been incorporated by working with builders and industrialists close to the construction area and, where possible, using local or national materials. 

south elevation

the pergola regulates the solar incidence with the characteristic Mediterranean reeds and vines

entrance to the Puigpunyent Eco-Passive House

the dining room

some furniture is convertible incorporating movement and transformation into its design

the living room

1/4

the corridor

the bedroom

the master bedroom

the workspace

project info:

name: Puigpunyent Eco-Passive House
designer: Miquel Lacomba | @miquel.lacomba

location: Puigpunyent, Mallorca, Spain

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom