SPACE January 2025 (No. 686)
Interview Izaskun Chinchilla principal, Izaskun Chinchilla Architects × Youn Yaelim
Youn Yaelim (Youn): I would like to know more about the regional character of Orihuela, where this project is located. While clearly having roots in vernacular architecture, Terrazza Ecohousing also strives to be more than just imitative.
Izaskun Chinchilla (Chinchilla): Orihuela, located in the southeast of Spain, is of a Mediterranean climate, characterised by hot, dry summers and mild wet winters. The region’s geography combines coastal areas with the mountainous Sierra de Escalona, offering diverse natural landscapes. Its cultural identity is rooted in its rich history, blending Spanish and Moorish influences. The Mediterranean lifestyle is embodied through a focus on physical and emotional wellbeing, outdoor activities, local gastronomy, and community. Vernacular architecture in Orihuela typically features whitewashed façades, calcareous lime plastering, use of fabric shades, timber structures to support roofs, strong integration with nature and typically a very inclined pitch roof that is usually solved with biodegradable materials (reeds). Terrazza Ecohousing incorporates such elements while reinterpreting them for modern sustainability, employing lime-plastered façades, natural ventilation, timber structures, passive cooling techniques and a flat roof covered with natural stones to avoid harming local birds.
Youn: The house was designed with a focus on the well-being of residents from varying age groups and health conditions. Also, its systems, structure, materials, and plants were evaluated by the Green Building Council España (GBCe) as passing four criteria.
Chinchilla: Our client is a private promoter, trying to redesign what premium properties can be and what their social contributions can achieve. We are keen to help clients in redefining premium properties, introducing respect for the environment as a new sign of their quality. Terrazza Ecohousing prioritises health and well-being by employing natural materials like wood and lime, which promote healthier ind...
Izaskun Chinchilla Architects (Izaskun Chinchilla
Alejandro Espallargas, Jesús Valer, Germ
Orihuela (Alicante), Spain
single house
1,132㎡
410㎡
482㎡
B1, 1F
6.71m
42.6%
36.2%
hybrid system of laminated wood, OSB beams and st
lime plaster applied in a fan-textured finish, fab
lime plaster, wood
CYD Ingeniería Estructural
GTM Ingeniería
CMAR Innovación y Diseño S.L.
Jan. – July 2022
July 2022 – July 2024
850,000 EUR
Somium Properties
Izaskun Chinchilla Architects
Sancal