Bioclimatic House is a Green-Roofed Island Paradise Set Next to Wind Farm on Tenerife

<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenerife" target="_blank">Tenerife</a> is known for its wind - whether you're into kite boarding or a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/lego-invests-500-million-in-german-offshore-wind-farm/">wind farming</a> - so this amazing home set right next to a wind park had to take gusty breezes into consideration. Designed by <a href="http://www.ruizlarrea.com/index_en.html" target="_blank">Ruiz Larrea and Associates</a>, the Bioclimatic House is surrounded by a circular wall and covered on top with a gorgeous <a href="http://inhabitat.com/green-roof/">living roof</a>. Natural ventilation, daylighting, and passive design all work to protect the house from the elements and keep the indoor climate comfortable despite the warm temperatures and the wind. Sustainable materials and native vegetation complete this terrific home - read on for a look inside!

The Bioclimatic House by <a href="http://www.ruizlarrea.com/index_en.html" target="_blank">Ruiz Larrea and Associates</a> has a wind farm right in its back yard, so high winds had to be factored into the design.

Located next the to wind park of Granadilla at the <a href="http://www.iter.es/" target="_blank">Instituto Tecnologico y de Energias Renovables</a>, the home is one of <a href="http://www.iter.es/index.php/mod.pags/mem.detalle/idpag.90/idmenu.1088/chk.e19aa6353f644b3401290f17822b9cf8.html" target="_blank">25 Bioclimatic Houses</a> incorporated into the research center.

Ruiz Larrea's design competition-winning home was inspired by Geria - a traditional way of growing grapes in <a href="http://www.spain-lanzarote.com/uk/places/la-geria.html" target="_blank">Lanzarote</a> by protecting the fruit from the strong and continuous winds with a semicircular wall of volcanic rock.

The home is surrounded and shielded by a circular wall of volcanic Tosca stone, and has no heating or air conditioning, relying completely on passive strategies to keep the interior warm or cool depending on the season.

Insulation, weatherproofing, and thermal mass all help to retain or remove heat when necessary.

Slightly sunk into the earth and protected by the wall, the home enjoys a sheltered life while maintaining views of the landscape.

The top of the house is covered by a living bridge made from a concrete slab filled with soil and native creepers.

Rainwater is harvested and collected in a 2,000 litre cistern for use as grey water. The home has also been outfitted with components for a solar system on the south side of the house.