In harmony with nature: high-inertia enclosures with lightweight framing

Our projects in the Pyrenees are rooted in the solidity and heritage of vernacular architecture, while remaining focused on meeting both contemporary demands and the region’s rigorous building regulations.

These structures engage in a dialogue with their surroundings by employing local materials and fundamental construction elements, while simultaneously embracing the challenge of being efficient and sustainable. This synthesis of architectural eras results in buildings that are both honest and contemporary—highly efficient structures where the landscape is perceived as an extension of the building, existing in perfect harmony with its environment.

To achieve this, we work with lightweight and/or ventilated facades—designed to provide maximum comfort with minimal energy consumption—as well as industrialized construction systems that offer numerous advantages, such as speed, versatility, cleanliness, and precision, alongside high-efficiency energy systems.

For the four homes currently under construction in Tredós, we have opted for a lightweight timber-frame construction system. This system involves connecting timber beams—braced together by structural panels spaced at close intervals—with insulation material placed between them. In this way, walls, floor slabs, and roofs are constructed from timber, which, when joined, form a perfectly stable 3D spatial structure.

The use of timber and other natural materials, combined with dry-assembly joints, significantly reduces waste generation. Lightweight timber-frame construction serves as a highly sustainable alternative to traditional building methods, enabling us to meet the highest standards for insulation and energy efficiency—even in harsh climates like the Val d’Aran, where we have achieved an AA+ energy efficiency rating.

The fact that the components are standardized and certified facilitates their interchangeability, modularity, and prefabrication. Connections between materials are simple—requiring no special joints, complex assemblies, or heavy machinery—and seals are easy to apply. This enhances productivity, as components can be joined together using nails and staples.

Homes built using light-frame construction are easy to waterproof and insulate, and they offer a high degree of flexibility. Because light-frame construction is a standardized and modular system, the entire assembly process—from the receipt, storage, and In light-frame construction, the building time is drastically shorter than in traditional construction, thanks to a combination of prefabrication and “dry” construction methods—an approach based on assembly that reduces the use of mortars and moisture on-site—while also offering excellent seismic performance and a pleasant, breathable interior atmosphere.