Estudio Mínima transforms 16th-century stone cabin into EnerPHit passive house in Cantabria

Spanish architecture firm Estudio Mínima has rehabilitated a 16th-century livestock cabin in the Pasiegos Valleys of Cantabria, Spain, into a high-performance passive house certified to the EnerPHit standard. The project preserves the original 80-centimeter-thick stone masonry facade while inserting a layered high-performance internal envelope with organic insulation and lime plasters to manage humidity and maintain stable temperatures. Triple-glazed passive wood windows are set deep into the facade to create window seats. Reclaimed original oak beams were used to fabricate custom furniture including the dining table, bathroom vanities, and nightstands. The ground floor, formerly a dark stable, now features a fluid, luminous space with a lime mortar floor. Outside, a patio was cleared of overgrowth and original stone slabs from the livestock area were restored to create an open-air dining area. The project demonstrates how heritage intervention can achieve sustainability and comfort through respect for local materials and landscape.