Mallorca is an island full of beautiful natural landscapes together with picturesque stone towns full of history and tradition. We came as unaware visitors, who learned step by step how to enter the mediterranean territory with respect to the vernacular architecture. – beef architekti
Casa Fly‘s design reflects it by using traditional techniques and materials as stones from a local quarry. The stone facade, which is based on a typical design that can be found all over the island as a fence or retaining walls that are constructed by using a traditional dry technique, Pedra en sec. This local design has been declared as an intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2018.
Besides the aesthetics, the massive facade helps keep the house cool during the summer months and has a great potential for accumulating heat in winter. The house respects the local conditions, therefore it offers a number of natural shading or ventilation systems. First, the windows are pushed inside of the structure in order to create shading out of the concrete slabs. Folding wooden shutters are another natural heat prevention. They reflect the facades of traditional houses on Mallorca. Narrow vertical lamellas create a tender shadowplay in the interior, which complements local traditional atmosphere. Spaces in between the lamellas allow air circulation even while the shutters are closed.
The design proposes natural ventilation, which can be used locally or through the whole house according to needs. Various window openings on each story allow the fresh air to come in and flow through the house up to the skylights, which provides vertical and horizontal ventilation.
The house is in harmony with the local architecture by using traditional materials, techniques and empiric principles. The stone facade continually flows into the interior in a combination with the lime plaster Estuco de cal.
The architects’ intention was to keep the background interior moderate, which allows the custom-made furnishing to stand out. Wood, local stone and concrete are the dominant used materials. Each material has a specific role in the design. The wooden lamellas adjacent to the staircase create vertical axes or a skeleton of the house. A group of handmade ceramic pendant lights perform a unique impression above the dining table. And at the end, an abstract bronze angel statue is facing the view with a position in the entrance hall.
The surroundings together with the position of the house create different views on each level. On the bottom floor, one is visually connected with the never-ending sea. On the other hand, from the rooms, which are situated on the upper floor, the beautiful illuminated city is visible during the night hours. The city can be seen through the gap between the sloping terrain and pine treetops. The final third view is from the infinity pool, where the pool water continuously blends with the sea and horizon.
Design and info © beef architekti
Images © Tomeu Canyellas
