Extreme climates pose an architectural challenge. With La casa del desierto, Guardian Glass has managed to devise a space from which guests can enjoy and experience nature in its purest form, without feeling the impact of extreme temperatures
The North American company Guardian Glass, based in Michigan (United States), has led a pioneering architectural project in Spain: La casa del desierto. This is an entirely glass-walled living space in the Gorafe desert (Granada), which is known to be one of Europe’s most climatically extreme and adverse locations.
This house marks a response to an unprecedented challenge, demonstrating the extent to which glass alone can guarantee thermal and acoustic isolation, as well as the security of a structure.
Covering only 20 m2, La casa del desierto has a bedroom, a bathroom and a living room-kitchen area. It is also sustainable and efficient, comprising a water filtering system, an electrical production system and a set of solar panels. This is an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient structure which leaves a minimal ecological footprint.
The design of this peculiar structure is the fruit of a collaborative project undertaken by a vast team of architects, led by Špela Videčnik of OFIS Architects, with glass specialists, engineers and energy consultants from Aky II and Transsolar, who together have responded to current and future challenges faced by the architecture and construction industry, marking a boost for environmentally friendly and energy-efficient structures.
Challenging nature
Materials, design and prefabrication play an essential role in this type of architecture, as these projects usually entail small, light volumes of materials that are quick and easy to assemble, which are transported module-by-module or piece-by-piece to the site, which is normally difficult to access, via helicopter or similar means of transport. These materials must also be able to withstand the extreme temperatures of these locations, suitably adapting to the local geography.
La casa del desierto represents the polar opposite of the area’s traditional cave houses; a cube of glass that was manufactured in Luxembourg, cut in Croatia and assembled next to a cornice of intricate open access, allowing guests to enjoy the starry night sky of Gorafe in absolute isolation.
Glass as a key player
La casa del desierto is one of Guardian Glass’ most extraordinary projects, which has a clear objective: to give guests a first-hand experience, from the land itself, of the importance of glass as an architectural element, all year-round.
In this case, the smart glass selected for the construction was Guardian SNX 60. With a winter temperature range of 45ºC to -10ºC in the Gorafe desert, the approximate maximum and minimum temperatures expected inside the house are 28ºC and 18ºC respectively, meaning guests can enjoy pleasant average temperatures regardless or the heat or cold outside.
Only 6 centimetres thick and without any visual obstacles interrupting the almost panoramic view of the desert, the barrier between inside and outside is practically entirely eroded, allowing guests to harmoniously connect with their surroundings, protected from excessive heat, extreme cold, noise and UV rays alike.
An example of smart tourism
With the inauguration of this space in 2018, the province of Granada has joined the evolution of ‘tourism of the future’ with an example of sustainable construction, with a new symbol that is representative of the megalithic park, using an element that dynamizes societies and their territory.
A journey that contributes quality and intelligence to their resources, bringing together history and the future, cultural landscapes and renewable energies, as well as sustainability and economic development.
While not classed as a hotel, La casa del desierto is another example of ‘smart tourism’, offering the visitor a unique experience in an exceptional location, boasting a comfortable and cosy indoor space that is in complete harmony with the surrounding landscape.
The opportunity to spend a few days in this fascinating construction – set in hostile surroundings in the middle of the desert – is open to all, with guests able to apply for a maximum stay of two days for two people on the house’s website: www.lacasadeldesierto.es
