Na Mime House by Company Studio: A Three-Meter-Wide Coastal Haven in Sa Ràpita, Mallorca

Tucked within the quiet coastal village of Sa Ràpita in southern Mallorca, Spain, Na Mime House by Company Studio redefines compact living through innovative spatial planning and sustainable materials. Located on a narrow corner lot with a rectangular footprint, the 140-square-meter house faces the island of Cabrera, benefitting from panoramic southern exposure in a serene, residential setting.

Design Strategy: Living in Three Meters

Faced with strict municipal regulations demanding setbacks from neighboring properties and the street, the architects were challenged to develop a livable and dynamic home within a mere 3-meter-wide buildable zone. This limitation sparked a creative approach—orienting the building longitudinally to fully utilize the maximum occupiable footprint while optimizing sunlight and cross-ventilation.

The design leverages the plot’s linearity and opens up toward the street with a cantilevered front porch, enhancing solar shading and extending the indoor living space outward. By integrating the porch into the structural rhythm of the house, the architects blur the boundary between interior and exterior, producing an open, modulated façade that responds to both spatial rhythm and functional needs.

Program Distribution: Vertical Efficiency

The program is thoughtfully distributed across three levels:

• Ground Floor: Private bedrooms benefit from interior courtyards that offer both light and privacy, buffering the space from street-level intrusion.
• First Floor: The main social zone features a living room, dining area, and kitchen—all aligned with the structural grid to ensure spatial clarity.
• Roof Level: A terrace and pool provide expansive views of the Mediterranean Sea and Cabrera Island, transforming the rooftop into a private retreat.

Spatial Connectivity: The Role of Courtyards

To combat the narrowness and encourage spatial depth, the design introduces small interior patios that weave natural light and greenery throughout all levels of the home. These courtyards act as vertical connectors, enhancing ventilation, creating layered privacy, and making the home feel larger than its compact footprint suggests.

Material Palette: Local, Neutral, and Sustainable

Material choices reflect a commitment to local sourcing and sustainability. Surfaces are finished with in-situ terrazzo, biocalce mortars, and natural lime stuccos—selected for their warm, neutral tones that resonate with the Mallorcan landscape. The terrazzo incorporates regional aggregates and appears in custom elements such as washbasins, countertops, and furniture.

Meanwhile, the interior woodwork features sustainably sourced pine, echoing the project’s ecological ethos and maintaining material continuity throughout indoor and outdoor spaces.