RAW ROOMS 43-unit Public Social Housing
architect: Peris+Toral Arquitectes
developer/owner: IBAVI - Institut Balear de l’Habitatge
location: Eivissa
year: 2018
The project prioritizes bioclimatic orientation to optimize solar gain and harness prevailing local winds, specifically the daytime Embat and the nighttime Terral. Load-bearing compressed earth block (CEB) walls are aligned toward the sea to facilitate cross-ventilation across all dwellings, while the strategic aggregation of units ensures dual orientation for every typology. Interior courtyards further enhance airflow, providing natural ventilation even for smaller units without direct dual exposure. The building’s articulated volume intentionally moves away from extreme compactness to increase façade surface area and corner exposures. This "unfolding" of the building envelope accelerates air movement and maximizes natural cooling letting the building breath, a critical strategy for Ibiza’s Mediterranean climate, where summer performance is the primary concern. Material selection reinforces this environmental ethos, favoring robust, low-maintenance systems. The use of load-bearing earth masonry provides significant thermal mass and humidity regulation, supporting passive comfort while drastically reducing long-term energy demand and maintenance requirements.
photographer: Jose Hevia
drawings: Peris+Toral Arquitectes