Cooling the Heat in Island Living with Breezy Ruins

     Materiality is one of the largest components of sustainable design. Sourcing from local materials saves more than just the extra dollar. The longevity of the materials for a locally sourced product is extended as the palate used for the building matches the surrounding environment and is preventable against the given elements.

recycled limestone panels 

    Hot and humid climates present a challenging task of ensuring circulation through a space. Airflow moves and regulates hot air up and out of an enclosure, allowing cooler air in. It is important to regulate temperature in architecture as a consideration of comfort. Open walls and an orientation for airflow are primary features of excellent thermal design qualities. On a remote island off the coast of Spain, architect Patricia Betancort uses local materiality and thermal design concepts to refurbish decaying ruins (CITE). 

    Her family home, a long-forgotten house in ruins, maximizes on natural woods and limestone with minimal construction additions. The original design of the structure, still intended for the humid environment on the island of Lanzarote, contained three patios that thinned the enclosed width of the building for increased ventilation. Architect Betancort further opened the house by removing select walls. Because of her analysis of the house's layout, she was able to maintain its reliable plan and add no additional rooms. Instead, this feature of the home was emphasized with expanded patios to encourage the open airflow concept.; the home is regulated at a comfortable temperature. 

    Patricia Betancort's reinvention of the island home exemplifies the cost-effective choices of reuse in architecture. Not only can design be affordable through this process, but the architecture is reliable when the structure can be revitalized. To further this thought, it becomes important for the field of architects to always consider what else a design could be. As the world confronts diminishing resources, the reuse of existing architecture is especially important in the mindful use of limited building materials. This can be better accomplished when the architecture is considered past its original intended function. If the building can serve many functions, it can be an especially relevant vessel. This can prevent overbuilding of new projects and the abandonment of old buildings. Further savings of time and money can be noted through the prevention of site demolitions. 

    While analyzed in a residential setting above, recycling architecture is arguably more impactful at a commercial level. Slowing the number of commercial and retail projects from high production rates would result in noticeable savings in space and money. 

Works Cited:

Nelson, E. (2020). Featured Natural Stone Project [Review of Featured Natural Stone Project]. In HDG Building Materials. https://hdgbuildingmaterials.com/reclaimed-recycled-or-newly-quarried-natural-stone-for-your-project/.

           Surury, Mubareka. “Tropical Architecture: Natural Materials for a Calming Ambience.” Tropical House     & Garden, 11 Dec. 2021, tropicalhousegarden.com/tropical-architecture-natural-materials-for-        calming-ambience/. Accessed 13 Oct. 2024.

‌Wales, Suzanne. “Before & After: This Canary Islands Home Was a Crumbling Ruin, but She Rebuilt It Piece by Piece.” Dwell, 28 June 2024, www.dwell.com/article/before-and-after-casa-pelota-patricia-betancort-ramos-lanzarote-canary-islands-57472eed-ff108282/cover. Accessed 13 Oct. 2024.