Social Housing in Ibiza by RipollTizon Estudio de Arquitectura

Located on the threshold between Ibiza's marina district and fertile floodplains, this social housing project by RipollTizon Estudio de Arquitectura redefines residential architecture by drawing inspiration from the island's vernacular while addressing the site’s complex urban and environmental context.

Contextual Design Rooted in Tradition

Set against a backdrop of fragmented and loosely organized architecture—a mix of tourist complexes, holiday apartments, and residential buildings—the new structure seeks to create a cohesive identity by emulating the iconic Ibizan payesa houses. These traditional rural homes are known for their additive composition, whitewashed facades, shaded porticos, and naturally climate-responsive features.

Taking cues from this architectural heritage, the design approach embraces the concept of modularity. Homes are created using repeatable square modules (living-dining-kitchen), with auxiliary spaces such as bedrooms and bathrooms attached as smaller volumes. This flexible, additive logic results in a varied yet cohesive building mass that adapts to spatial needs without compromising efficiency.

Pyramidal Volume and Passive Climate Control

To comply with stringent urban planning regulations, the structure had to be shaped within a pyramidal volume. This constraint informed the building's distinctive form, allowing the architects to maximize the permissible envelope while carving out a central courtyard. This open void acts as a communal heart for the residents, fostering social interaction, ensuring natural cross ventilation, and promoting daylight penetration through interconnected porches and patios.

The porous layout facilitates multiple orientations for each of the 19 housing units distributed across five floors. As a result, every home benefits from optimal sun exposure and natural ventilation, contributing to the building’s A-rated energy efficiency.

Ground-Level Public Realm and No-Excavation Parking

Given the shallow water table, the design avoids underground construction. Parking is instead accommodated on the ground floor, further enabling a seamless street-level connection. The openness of the entrance level blurs the boundaries between public and private space, creating an inviting communal realm within the urban fabric.

Sustainable Typologies with Community Focus

Rather than rigid unit repetition, the housing scheme features adaptable combinations of modules that address varied family structures and lifestyles. The outcome is a dynamic, community-centric housing solution that emphasizes permeability, sustainability, and climatic responsiveness.

All the photographs are works of José Hevia