Over the past few decades, traditional building systems have evolved into industrialized processes in tune with a mobile and traveling world. New types of housing have thus emerged, such as modular houses, whose innovative techniques offer excellent results in terms of efficiency, budget and sustainability.
However, when it comes to choosing between concrete and wood, a dilemma arises. Jon Irigoyen, Eneko Dominguez, Amaia Guibert and Miren Irigoyen, from the i-architecture agency, based in Bilbao, Spain, reveal the ins and outs of these two materials applied to modular systems.
Should you choose between a concrete or wooden modular house?
Regarding wood, the i-architecture team is categorical: “It is easy to work with, insulating and lightweight for transportation and assembly, which significantly reduces costs. In addition, it can be used as a seamless finish, it is environmentally friendly and can be easily reused or recycled at the end of its life. »
Wood is very present in i-architecture’s modular projects, such as Entre Muros, a private villa in Mallorca, SHELTER_, a 15 square meter space made of plywood laminated inside and out, or another house in the Gulf of Biscay that the agency is currently completing.
The use of wood in Japanese culture is a Source of inspiration for the agency.
© i-architecture
What inspired these projects? “The Japanese tradition of woodworking, we indicate at i-architecture, where nature, spirit and society come together through ancestral techniques to highlight the value of patience, precision and above all a deep respect for the natural world. As we delve deeper into these woodworking techniques and styles, we discover that they are not just construction methods, but also life lessons that teach us the harmony, balance and beauty of making a material that has a soul. Housing is an essential good, but it must be in harmony with the planet, creating a resilient ecosystem. »
