The Ecohouse V01 Prototype is a collective final project developed by students of the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) within the 2018–2019 Master of Advanced Ecological Buildings (MAEB) program.
The project was designed and built over an immersive 11-month learning experience at Valldaura Labs, located in Collserola Natural Park near Barcelona, where students lived, studied, and worked closely with natural and fabrication environments.
Developed by 19 international participants, the Ecohouse was designed in 6 weeks and fabricated and assembled in 8 weeks with support from experts and industry partners. The result is a fully off-grid, self-sufficient prototype that integrates ecological design, advanced computation, and local material sourcing.
Key features include a traceable timber structure made from locally harvested pine and oak, rainwater harvesting with a 10,000-liter storage system, greywater reuse, and a composting-based waste system. Energy is supplied by photovoltaic panels, while passive ventilation and a wood-burning stove provide seasonal climate control. The façade incorporates recycled and natural insulation materials and integrates building services within its structure.
Niu Haus Tiny House
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Directors:
Vicente Guallart and Daniel Ibañez
Academic Coordinator:
Marziah Zad
Project Manager:
Michael Salka
Operations Manager:
Laia Pifarré
Digital Fabrication & Prototyping Strategies:
Nicolò Gnecchi
Designers (MAEB Students):
Pilar Aguirre, Giulia Astrachan, Jesús Bueno Anguita, Julianna Carmona, Vincent Charlebois, Chen Yu-Wen, Chiang Yu-Ching, Pablo Corroto Pradillo, Nour El Kamali, Elisabet Fàbrega R. Roda, Kevin Matar, Qiao Liang, Jorge Luis Morales Fernández, Sinéad Nicholson, Michael Salka, Tian Yuanpei, Yu Zhipeng, Zhang Jie, and Zu Heran
Sponsors:
Visoren, Tallfusta, Saltoki, Premapreta, Distribució Sostenible, Alter-Entorn, Saneseco, Santa & Cole, Noumena, Mausa, and Philips
Consultants:
Oscar Aceves, Miquel Rodriguez, Jochen Scheerer, Luis Casado, Gustavo Torralbo, Laura Halminen, Nicu Pribago, Guillem Camprodon, Rodrigo Aguirre, Luis Sola, and Gustavo Abreu
Valldaura Labs Staff & Faculty:
Jonathan Minchin, Jose Antonio Riosalido, Xavier Molons, Jordi Ubach, and Francesc Val
IAAC Fablab Staff:
Mikel Llobera, Ricardo Valbuena, and Alaa Al Baroudi
Volunteers:
Chelsea Sherman, Seçil Afşar, Pan Youjian, Tristan Copley Smith, Banjaman Scatt, Rutvij Patha, Alejandro Caballero, Demi Pradolin, Judy Mahfouz, and Alec Nicholson
Photography:
Adrià Goula and Chelsea Sherman