Enhancing Circularity, Sustainability, and Innovation
Casa Palau
Casa Palau bioclimatic home
Casa Palau transforms an existing single-family home through an energy rehabilitation and extension that reinforces the relationship with the landscape. Through passive strategies such as solar capture, natural ventilation and adaptable intermediate spaces, the project creates an efficient, healthy and flexible home that improves interior comfort and reduces energy consumption.
Spain
Local
Palau-Solità i Plegamans
It addresses urban-rural linkages
It involves a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Yes
2026-01-13
No
No
No
Organisation
Casa Palau is an intervention that combines rehabilitation and extension to transform an existing single-family house into an energy-efficient home that is more connected to its natural environment. Located in Palau-Solità i Plegamans, in a residential context with the presence of landscape and vegetation, the proposal seeks to improve the environmental and spatial conditions of the home through passive strategies.
The project starts from a complete reorganization of the interior space. The traditional corridor is eliminated and an open and fluid circulation is proposed that connects the different domestic spaces with the outside. The new central living, kitchen and dining space is configured with a double height that expands the spatial perception and improves natural ventilation.
An oculus located behind the new open loft acts as a light and air collector, favoring the natural circulation of air and generating a dynamic and healthy interior atmosphere. Outside, a porch with a light wooden structure functions as an intermediate space capable of transforming the climatic behavior of the home.
This porch can be opened completely during the summer to enhance cross-ventilation and can be closed in the winter to take advantage of the greenhouse effect and capture solar heat. The sloping roof resolves two distinct geometries that give volumetric identity to the whole and improve the environmental behavior of the building.
The combination of natural materials, bioclimatic strategies and flexible spaces allows the creation of an efficient, healthy and adaptable home that improves the quality of life of its inhabitants.
The project starts from a complete reorganization of the interior space. The traditional corridor is eliminated and an open and fluid circulation is proposed that connects the different domestic spaces with the outside. The new central living, kitchen and dining space is configured with a double height that expands the spatial perception and improves natural ventilation.
An oculus located behind the new open loft acts as a light and air collector, favoring the natural circulation of air and generating a dynamic and healthy interior atmosphere. Outside, a porch with a light wooden structure functions as an intermediate space capable of transforming the climatic behavior of the home.
This porch can be opened completely during the summer to enhance cross-ventilation and can be closed in the winter to take advantage of the greenhouse effect and capture solar heat. The sloping roof resolves two distinct geometries that give volumetric identity to the whole and improve the environmental behavior of the building.
The combination of natural materials, bioclimatic strategies and flexible spaces allows the creation of an efficient, healthy and adaptable home that improves the quality of life of its inhabitants.
Casa Palau was born from the desire to transform an existing house to adapt it to new housing needs and improve its energy performance. More than a conventional renovation, the project proposes an environmental and spatial reconversion that focuses on comfort, flexibility and the relationship with the landscape.
The proposal is based on a critical reading of the original organization of the house. The interior structure was conditioned by a central corridor that fragmented the spaces and limited the relationship with the outside. The project eliminates this hierarchy and opts for a more open and connected organization.
The new central space is configured with a double height that expands the visual relationships and allows natural air circulation. The oculus located at the top acts as a regulating element that captures natural light and facilitates the evacuation of hot air.
This strategy is complemented by the creation of an exterior porch that functions as an intermediate space between the interior and exterior. This element allows the climatic behavior of the house to be adapted according to the season, improving comfort without depending on complex mechanical systems.
During the project process, the use of simple construction solutions and natural materials was prioritized to reinforce the sustainability and environmental quality of the home.
Casa Palau demonstrates how a precise intervention on an existing home can generate a more efficient, flexible and linked architecture with its environment.
The proposal is based on a critical reading of the original organization of the house. The interior structure was conditioned by a central corridor that fragmented the spaces and limited the relationship with the outside. The project eliminates this hierarchy and opts for a more open and connected organization.
The new central space is configured with a double height that expands the visual relationships and allows natural air circulation. The oculus located at the top acts as a regulating element that captures natural light and facilitates the evacuation of hot air.
This strategy is complemented by the creation of an exterior porch that functions as an intermediate space between the interior and exterior. This element allows the climatic behavior of the house to be adapted according to the season, improving comfort without depending on complex mechanical systems.
During the project process, the use of simple construction solutions and natural materials was prioritized to reinforce the sustainability and environmental quality of the home.
Casa Palau demonstrates how a precise intervention on an existing home can generate a more efficient, flexible and linked architecture with its environment.
Bioclimatic design
Circular construction
Energy efficiency
Adaptive housing
Nature Integration
The sustainability of the project is mainly based on passive strategies that reduce the energy demand of the house. The spatial reorganization and the incorporation of the double height favor natural ventilation and improve the thermal behavior of the building.
The oculus located at the top of the central space acts as a natural light collector and facilitates the evacuation of hot air, generating a natural ventilation system that improves interior comfort.
The exterior porch functions as an intermediate climatic space that regulates the relationship between interior and exterior. During the summer it protects from direct solar radiation and allows efficient natural ventilation. During the winter it can function as a solar capture space that contributes to heating the interior.
The reuse of the existing structure reduces the consumption of resources and the environmental impact associated with a new construction. The project is committed to natural materials and simple construction systems that facilitate maintenance and extend the useful life of the building.
The oculus located at the top of the central space acts as a natural light collector and facilitates the evacuation of hot air, generating a natural ventilation system that improves interior comfort.
The exterior porch functions as an intermediate climatic space that regulates the relationship between interior and exterior. During the summer it protects from direct solar radiation and allows efficient natural ventilation. During the winter it can function as a solar capture space that contributes to heating the interior.
The reuse of the existing structure reduces the consumption of resources and the environmental impact associated with a new construction. The project is committed to natural materials and simple construction systems that facilitate maintenance and extend the useful life of the building.
The aesthetic quality of Casa Palau arises from the relationship between the existing architecture and the new interventions that transform the home. The project seeks to enhance the spatial qualities of the house based on natural light, ventilation and the relationship with the landscape.
The central living, kitchen and dining space is defined by a double height that expands the spatial perception and creates an open and generous domestic atmosphere. The oculus located behind the new open loft acts as a light and air collector, generating a vertical relationship between the spaces and providing a changing light quality throughout the day.
The new sloping roof resolves two differentiated geometries that give volumetric dynamism to the house and reinforce its architectural identity. On the outside, the porch becomes a key element of the composition, functioning as an intermediate space between the interior and the landscape.
The materiality of the project is committed to a combination of natural materials and warm textures that reinforce the domestic dimension of the home. Beauty thus emerges from the coherence between space, light and materiality, generating architecture that improves the daily relationship between inhabitants and the environment.
The central living, kitchen and dining space is defined by a double height that expands the spatial perception and creates an open and generous domestic atmosphere. The oculus located behind the new open loft acts as a light and air collector, generating a vertical relationship between the spaces and providing a changing light quality throughout the day.
The new sloping roof resolves two differentiated geometries that give volumetric dynamism to the house and reinforce its architectural identity. On the outside, the porch becomes a key element of the composition, functioning as an intermediate space between the interior and the landscape.
The materiality of the project is committed to a combination of natural materials and warm textures that reinforce the domestic dimension of the home. Beauty thus emerges from the coherence between space, light and materiality, generating architecture that improves the daily relationship between inhabitants and the environment.
Inclusion in Casa Palau is proposed through spatial flexibility and the improvement of the quality of life of its inhabitants. The reorganization of the house eliminates the traditional corridor and proposes an open and fluid circulation that facilitates the daily use of the spaces.
This new organization allows greater adaptability of the domestic spaces, making it possible for the house to respond to different ways of living and the evolution of family needs over time.
The project also incorporates intermediate spaces such as the porch, which expands the possibilities of use of the house and allows various domestic activities in direct contact with the outside. This space acts as an extension of the living area and contributes to improving the environmental and climatic quality of the house.
In addition, the bioclimatic strategy based on passive systems reduces dependence on complex technologies and decreases energy consumption, making the housing model more accessible and sustainable in the long term.
This new organization allows greater adaptability of the domestic spaces, making it possible for the house to respond to different ways of living and the evolution of family needs over time.
The project also incorporates intermediate spaces such as the porch, which expands the possibilities of use of the house and allows various domestic activities in direct contact with the outside. This space acts as an extension of the living area and contributes to improving the environmental and climatic quality of the house.
In addition, the bioclimatic strategy based on passive systems reduces dependence on complex technologies and decreases energy consumption, making the housing model more accessible and sustainable in the long term.
The Casa Palau project was developed in constant dialogue with the property, integrating the daily needs of the inhabitants into the design process.
Through several meetings and work sessions, the habits of use of the house and the expectations of the users regarding the new spaces were analyzed. This collaboration made it possible to identify the limitations of the original distribution and define a new, more open and adaptable organization.
The participation of the users was especially relevant in the definition of the central spaces of the house, such as the new living area and the outdoor porch. This process made it possible to adjust the project to the real ways of living and anticipate different scenarios of use over time.
The direct involvement of the inhabitants in spatial and functional decisions reinforced the coherence between architecture, use and sustainability, generating a strong sense of belonging towards the transformed house.
Through several meetings and work sessions, the habits of use of the house and the expectations of the users regarding the new spaces were analyzed. This collaboration made it possible to identify the limitations of the original distribution and define a new, more open and adaptable organization.
The participation of the users was especially relevant in the definition of the central spaces of the house, such as the new living area and the outdoor porch. This process made it possible to adjust the project to the real ways of living and anticipate different scenarios of use over time.
The direct involvement of the inhabitants in spatial and functional decisions reinforced the coherence between architecture, use and sustainability, generating a strong sense of belonging towards the transformed house.
The project has been developed within the current regulatory framework and in coordination with the local administration of Palau-Solità i Plegamans.
The intervention has involved collaboration between various agents: architectural team, engineering, construction company and specialized installers. This coordination has been essential to integrate bioclimatic strategies, construction solutions and energy improvements within the project.
The management of the construction process has required continuous technical coordination between the different professional teams to guarantee coherence between the architectural design, the installations and the construction solutions adopted.
This collaboration between disciplines and agents has allowed the development of an efficient and coherent intervention that improves the environmental performance of the existing housing.
The intervention has involved collaboration between various agents: architectural team, engineering, construction company and specialized installers. This coordination has been essential to integrate bioclimatic strategies, construction solutions and energy improvements within the project.
The management of the construction process has required continuous technical coordination between the different professional teams to guarantee coherence between the architectural design, the installations and the construction solutions adopted.
This collaboration between disciplines and agents has allowed the development of an efficient and coherent intervention that improves the environmental performance of the existing housing.
Casa Palau is developed from a transdisciplinary approach that integrates architecture, engineering and bioclimatic strategies to improve the environmental performance of the home.
The project combines architectural knowledge and energy efficiency criteria to transform an existing house into a more efficient and healthy home. The spatial organization, the double height and the central oculus are conceived as elements capable of improving natural ventilation and indoor environmental quality.
This strategy is complemented by the design of the external porch, which functions as an intermediate climatic device between the interior and exterior.
The collaboration between architects, engineers and builders has allowed the development of simple but efficient construction solutions that integrate architectural design, environmental performance and quality of use.
The project combines architectural knowledge and energy efficiency criteria to transform an existing house into a more efficient and healthy home. The spatial organization, the double height and the central oculus are conceived as elements capable of improving natural ventilation and indoor environmental quality.
This strategy is complemented by the design of the external porch, which functions as an intermediate climatic device between the interior and exterior.
The collaboration between architects, engineers and builders has allowed the development of simple but efficient construction solutions that integrate architectural design, environmental performance and quality of use.
Casa Palau responds to a private development that is committed to improving an existing home through a strategic and efficient intervention.
The project demonstrates that the rehabilitation and transformation of existing homes can be a sustainable and economically viable alternative to the construction of new buildings. The reuse of the existing structure allows for the reduction of resource consumption and the minimization of environmental impact.
The passive strategies applied to the project contribute to reducing energy demand and future operating costs of the home, improving economic efficiency in the long term.
This approach highlights rehabilitation as a key strategy to improve the existing residential stock and move towards more sustainable housing models.
The project demonstrates that the rehabilitation and transformation of existing homes can be a sustainable and economically viable alternative to the construction of new buildings. The reuse of the existing structure allows for the reduction of resource consumption and the minimization of environmental impact.
The passive strategies applied to the project contribute to reducing energy demand and future operating costs of the home, improving economic efficiency in the long term.
This approach highlights rehabilitation as a key strategy to improve the existing residential stock and move towards more sustainable housing models.
The project proposes a model for transforming existing homes based on passive strategies, spatial reorganization and improved relationships with the environment.
Many single-family homes built in similar residential contexts have comparable spatial and energy limitations. The strategy applied to Casa Palau demonstrates that specific interventions such as the reorganization of the interior space, the incorporation of double heights or the creation of intermediate spaces can significantly improve the environmental performance of the home.
The exterior porch and the natural ventilation system generated by the upper oculus constitute replicable solutions that can be adapted to other Mediterranean climatic contexts.
The project thus offers a transferable model of domestic rehabilitation that combines architectural quality, energy efficiency and improved environmental comfort.
Many single-family homes built in similar residential contexts have comparable spatial and energy limitations. The strategy applied to Casa Palau demonstrates that specific interventions such as the reorganization of the interior space, the incorporation of double heights or the creation of intermediate spaces can significantly improve the environmental performance of the home.
The exterior porch and the natural ventilation system generated by the upper oculus constitute replicable solutions that can be adapted to other Mediterranean climatic contexts.
The project thus offers a transferable model of domestic rehabilitation that combines architectural quality, energy efficiency and improved environmental comfort.
