Perched atop a Spanish cliff sits this gorgeous green home, a privately-owned holiday house that’s as lovely as it is sustainable. Located in Cantabria, Spain, and designed by Madrid-based Nolaster Architects, Casa OS integrates green building techniques to create high-end, low-impact accommodation. The irony is that the original design scheme wasn’t intended to be a green building, but the architects employed many green features for visual impact and practical benefits. We’d just love to live an eco life on that cliff.
The front of the home looks out over the sea with the back end supported by stilts over a cavern in a dug-out hill. Combining this wind protection with insulating grass roof means that temperature is much easier and less energy-intensive to control and the building’s visual impact is much less imposing. Other features include an inner yard to provide an open space protected from wind and rainwater collection for reuse fushing toilets and watering the roof and garden in summer.
The black panels are zinc; ideal for seaside houses as it lasts longer. If desired, the entire house can be dismantled and reconstructed elsewhere, as the panels have been screwed together rather than welded. If not, the zinc can be recycled at the end of its useful life.
Sleeping up to 24 people but with use for only four in mind, the house was built to cater for a range of different uses and events. Certain areas, such as the south hall and vestibules, have been designed for flexibility, perhaps to serve as a dormitory, games room or welcome hall as required. Efficient underfloor heating allows temperature to be controlled room by room, consuming only as much energy as is needed. We love the modern aesthetic, gorgeous Euro context, and green materials and systems!
+ Nolaster Architects
What a beautiful project. Reminds me both of Johnson’s Glass House in CT with that simple, sleek glass facade, but then that beautiful progression up through the house towards the recessed courtyard and then green roof observation deck seems to resemble Corb’s Villa Savoye.
This is indeed a very nice house, especially for Spanish standards. Most buildings there are totally tasteless. But, Cate, you got to tell me, whats a Euro context? (I’m european, maybe I don’t know it because I live in it? ) The same as Asian products getting the label European design and therefor doubling the amount sold.
Many years ago us Greenpeace supporters were beguiled, it is now so pleasing to see respect for the planet / future life sending it’s tendrils into all walks of life and through such an inspiring / flexible media. Long live the internet, long live the green movement, long live the green movers. What a beautifuly simple and harmonious design, shame it wasn’t bow shaped for a better vista.
This is amazing! I wonder how scalable this is though. I’m always fascinated by these examples of green architecture, but I’m also convinced that such solutions should be built to adapt to the uraban landscape, where they can have the highest positive impact. Well done anyway!
Mark
http://www.lifegle.com
“…especially for Spanish standards. Most buildings there are totally tasteless.”
…tasteless coment I must say. Spanish houses are a “must learn” for a lot of us.
I love this house! The eco-chic “ness” of the green design make it that much more appealing. It’s like this guilt free pleasure in knowing that it is living in harmony with nature. I write an eco-blog at http://www.planetpinkngreen where I live much of my life reporting on inspiring people, places and things that are working to make a difference on this planet and be conscious about it. I have been filming some eco-chic design episodes around my city, Portland, Oregon and have them posted on my blog. I love contributing to global healing. I will be in Spain again one day reporting on eco-fabulous stories like yours. Keep up the good work!! Cheryl Janis