Casa HyE

Casa HyE is part of a larger project called "La Morada" that emphasizes off-grid independence, water collection and successional agroforestry. Starting from the foundations, in Casa HyE individual footings are built from a mix of concrete and site-sourced stone reducing the tamount of material transported.The house makes use of easy assembling recycled wood pallets from the automotive industry to softly settle the ground, minimizing its environmental impact. The exposed members of the wood were treated with an ancient japanese preservation technique called Yakisugi, that adds resistance to moisture, insects and rot.

The building orientation with relation to the sun is also key in the use of energy. With its long side facade facing the south, heat during winter is primarily provided by the sun as sunlight directly hits the wood floors that serve as thermal mass. Just as the long south side is the warm side of the house, the long north side is the colder side, creating a natural cross ventilation during the summer days preventing any overheating.

Finally, the facade is a product of the natural conditions and construction systems in play. The drier southern side allows the charred wood walls to be seen, while the northern, eastern, and western walls are protected with corrugated metal in sloping layers to prevent undesired moisture from penetrating into the house. Casa HyE is an example of collective potential, where family and friends come together to contribute their knowledge and abilities towards a common goal of building a place everyone can call home.