Menorca, Reconstructed With Straw Bales

The proposed Menorca commune is situated on the south-eastern part of the island of Menorca, covering an area of 14,000 sqm. The residential buildings are grouped in two lines, extending from the eastern to the western part of the occupied slope, facing south and located at the highest point of the site. The commune consists of various combinations of houses of three types: line houses, garden houses and patio houses. Each house is 340-560 sqm in size. The houses are constructed on stone foundations from straw bales and wooden frames, providing insulation, thermal mass and protection from moisture.

The gaps between the housing blocks are closeable, offering protection from the climatic conditions of the area. This is done by working with movable constructions of wooden and glazed panels that can be installed or removed with ease.

Existing vegetation in the north helps to reduce wind velocity in winter, and wind power walls are constructed to capture the wind. Two-level cubic vegetable gardens are designed for growing vegetables to provide the commune with food. All green areas are equipped with small fountains that use the harvested rainwater.