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Project Case Study · Balearic Islands

Villa Cova Blanca: A Monument to Light and Lime

Architectural review of a 540 m² private residence in Es Cubells, Ibiza, conceived as a series of sculptural terraces stepping down toward the Mediterranean Sea.

Villa Cova Blanca white limestone exterior in Ibiza with swimming pool
Villa Cova Blanca's southwestern facade integrates deeply recessed apertures for passive shading.

Architectural Concept & Topographical Integration

Nestled on a steep hillside above the azure waters of Porroig bay, Villa Cova Blanca rejects the stark boxy forms of cold northern minimalism in favor of organic, rounded geometries inspired by traditional Ibizan *fincas*. The residence is terraced across three levels to minimize excavation impact on the local stone shelf and preserve established carob and juniper groves.

Bioclimatic Engineering & Passive Cooling

The building’s envelope is coated in a 25mm thick lime render derived from local pulverized limestone and natural binders. This hyper-reflective surface prevents solar heat gain during intense July and August afternoons. Furthermore, the structural orientation harnesses the prevailing coastal thermal breezes (*embats*), directing cool marine airflow through the central living pavilion.

Metric Specification Details
Built Area 540 m² Interior + 320 m² Covered Terraces
Glazing System Keller Minimal Windows (Triple-track pocket sliding)
Energy Performance Passivhaus Certified / A+ Rating
Water Harvesting 80,000-liter subterranean rainwater cistern for greywater irrigation
Primary Finishes Handmade Marés stone, bleached oak, honed Santanyí limestone
Interior living room overlooking the sea through floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors
Internal living spaces dissolve effortlessly into the pool loggia when sliding glass panels are retracted.

Interior Spatial Organization

The ground level houses a double-height salon centered around an open-hearth fireplace sculpted directly from limestone masonry. The kitchen island—fashioned from a single 4-ton block of Roman Navona travertine—serves as the home’s culinary anchor, positioned equidistant between the indoor dining hall and the covered outdoor barbecue loggia.

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