The house is designed to use the Spanish sun for heating. It has big windows on the south side that let in the winter sun, and shades that block the summer sun.
On the north side, there are small windows. Even though a steep hill blocks the view, these windows help keep the house cool in the summer by allowing natural air flow.
The house was built with prefabricated parts, which means less waste of materials. It has a special layer of natural, biodegradable wood fiber insulation that keeps moisture out. This makes the house up to 80% more efficient in controlling the temperature than traditional houses.
The wood used to build the house comes from the Catalan Pyrenees, only two hours away. It’s from forests that are managed responsibly. The outside of the house is made of treated fir wood, and the inside has plywood and pine finishes.
The parts you can’t see, like the backs of cabinets, are made from a more affordable material called OSB. The studio is small, just 818 square feet, but it has an open layout that makes it feel bigger.
Right now, it’s used as an office for two people. It has a wooden bathroom and shower but doesn’t have a kitchen. However, it’s designed so it can be easily turned into a small home.
The studio collects rainwater from the roof and nearby pavement. This water is stored in seven tanks that can hold up to about 2,640 gallons in total. The stored water is used to water a large organic garden down the hill.
The studio was designed by architect Pablo Serrano Elorduy from Dom Arquitectura. It’s located in the hills outside Barcelona. He made a simple but beautiful wooden shelter that is very efficient because of its smart design. You can find more about it on their website: Dom Arquitectura.
