Casa en Massís del Garraf | Bioclimatic strategies for a Zero-energy villa

The villa is designed to be zero-energy and have a healthy and comfortable indoor environment. Located in Massís del Garraf, it is developed in a compact square plan of 90 sqm, with the advantage of avoiding thermal dispersion through the facades but also the disadvantage of not allowing direct sunlight to the south-facing rooms at the back.

The Central Space of the House: Bioclimatic Atrium

The designers at Slow Studio, a studio specialized in eco-friendly architectural projects, envision a central space that captures light and warmth. For Casa en Massís del Garraf, this space is created in the form of a covered atrium with south-facing openings in the part that rises above the roof: the rooms are organized around this bioclimatic atrium. The double-height central space accumulates heat thanks to an upper opening to the south and helps to temper the rooms in the north zone and generate cross ventilation.

The functions of the Bioclimatic Atrium

In this way, the atrium creates a second facade that allows for more sunlight to be captured and warms the air that will be used to benefit the ventilation of the house. The bioclimatic atrium is designed to have multiple functions: it can be used as an extra living room, dining room, or simply as a space with open access to the sleeping area. Additionally, clients specifically request Slow Studio to have a view towards the north; for this purpose, the atrium has a small loft accessible with a removable library-style staircase that can be moved or hidden when not needed.

Thermal insulation of the structure

The construction system is based on a double wall, made internally of stone and externally of bricks with a thermal insulator in between. In the entrance area, the exposed brick wall creates a semi-open grid that serves as a distinctive element of the passive house. Solar protection for the openings is provided by external fabric blinds.

Water and Heating

A biomass boiler, fueled by pellets, provides hot water for sanitary use and for winter heating through a system of conventional radiators. The air circulation in the passive house is carried out through the central atrium using fans that introduce it from the highest point of the gallery and extract it from the wet areas of the bathrooms and kitchen.