Miel Arquitectos Rehabilitates a Century-Old House in Galilea, Mallorca, for Year-Round Living
Miel Arquitectos has transformed a century-old residence in Galilea, Mallorca, spanning 125 m², to make it usable year-round. The innovative design incorporates three distinct terraced sections: a lower garden featuring fruit trees, a pool, and a solarium; agricultural terraces; and a two-story living area. The ground level houses a garage, machine room, cistern, and laundry facilities, while the upper level boasts living spaces with stunning views of the mountains and Mediterranean. Enhancements include a newly added south-facing pergola, consistent terrace heights, and ceramic lattice screening in natural hues. Comfort improvements involve insulation, larger openings, and passive elements like operable skylights, alongside active systems such as aerothermal heating and solar panels. Original and natural materials have been utilized. Photography by Jose Hevia.
Key facts
- Miel Arquitectos rehabilitated a 125 m² century-old house in Galilea, Mallorca, at the foot of the Serra de Tramuntana.
- The project aims to extend the house's use beyond the summer months.
- The property is organized into three terraced strips: lower garden with fruit trees, pool and solarium; upper 'marjades' terraces; and an intermediate two-level dwelling.
- The ground floor contains a garage, machine room, cistern and laundry; the upper floor holds living spaces with mountain and Mediterranean views.
- A new south-facing pergola reuses tiles and wooden beams from the original porch.
- Interior niches in the 80 cm-thick central wall create new light, ventilation and view connections between the living-dining room and bedroom corridor.
- Passive strategies include operable skylights, circular pivoting windows for cross-ventilation, and an exterior vine-and-wire pergola.
- Active systems include aerothermal heating, radiant floor heating, and photovoltaic panels; materials include European pine, rock wool, Mallorcan ceramic brick, stone, ceramic and lime mortars.
Entities
Artists
- Jose Hevia
Institutions
- Miel Arquitectos
- Diariodesign
Locations
- Galilea
- Mallorca
- Spain
- Serra de Tramuntana
- Mediterranean