House in Carrer de ses Monges in Porto Cristo

This house, located in Porto Cristo, was thought principally as a summer resort and absolutely adjusted to the customer's needs. Also it had to be as economical as possible, made with bioconstruction rules and we only had one winter to construct it.

In this way, it was projected a compact volume with two floors, releasing the courtyard to the maximum, to where the house is opened. On the ground floor, firstly we find the entry, a bathroom, a room and the stairs which communicates with first floor, then there is only one room, made up of kitchen, living room and dining room. On the first floor, there are a room, a bathroom and a porch, which can be closed in the future.

BIOCONSTRUCTION RULES

1. SUITABLE LOCATION: In this case, geobiological study was not made.

2. GOOD ORIENTATION: First of all house had two determinants: being an attached house and it had to look out onto the courtyard. Luckily this patio was south oriented. In this way, façade which overlooks the street is north oriented, and there, we have situated small openings, façade which overlooks the courtyard is south oriented, and there we have situated more openings in order to take advantage of winter sun. In the summer these are sun protected by shutters. On the first floor, a small south oriented porch has been constructed.

3. ENERGY MANAGEMENT: Hot water is obtained from a compact solar panel system. This house is thought to be a summer residence, that’s why a pre-installed air conditioning was planned.

4. GOOD MATERIALS USE: Façades are made by Panal ceramic bricks, really thick, with cork isolation put outside, in order to reduce thermal bridges to the maximum. Interior and exterior facings are made with lime mortar. Ceilings are done by wood beams and structural OSB wood boards; reinforcing bars have been used only in foundations and perimeter edge beams. Roof isolations are also made with natural cork. Waterproofing has been done with rubber and breathable polythene. Joinery is made with wood, treated with natural oil and citric. All wood is formaldehyde low emission. In electrical installation, wiring is halogen free.

5. WATER MANAGEMENT: Rainwater is collected in a buried tank to be reused later, both for drinking water as well as housing needs.