Beneath wooden roofs

Residence in the Basque Country

single family house

cross laminated timber

gable roof

The wetlands of the Urdaibai biosphere reserve are located in the north of Spain, at the estuary of a river east of Bilbao. For this rainy area, Emiliano López and Mónica Rivera have designed a residence with a steep gable roof. Though the house may not seem particularly big at first glance, it measures 363 m², for the structure is divided into three connected parts.

These are grouped around a shared outdoor area and have many different access points. Altogether, 46 spaces unfurl inside the building. The spectrum ranges from spacious living areas to small niches with built-in furniture. Most of these spaces extend right to the roof; only one small area has two storeys.

The house stands on limestone blocks that raise it above the ground. The gravel pit beneath it provides sufficient seepage. The terrace flooring and stairs leading to the entrances are also of limestone. The main entrance is set slightly back, which leaves room for two covered parking spots.

The façades and roof have been done in sprucewood with a mineral coating that gives it a uniformly beige patina. Panels of cross-laminated timber form the supporting structure of the roof, floor and walls. The house has achieved passive standard thanks to triple glazing and good thermal insulation of wood fibre and cork.

The interior features an interplay of various wooden surfaces. Some are white-varnished; the floors are of cypress and the CLT is visible on the ceilings and load-bearing walls. Even the roller blinds which provide protection from the sun are made of pine slats.

Architecture: Emiliano López and Mónica Rivera

Location: Gautéguiz Arteaga (ES)

Structural engineering: BIS structures

Cross laminated timber: Egoin