The style of the island’s country houses is fascinating. Today we are going to explain to you how the traditional architecture of Ibiza is and we are going to show you some properties inspired by the “Ibizan finca” that we have for sale.
The first detail that catches the attention is the immaculate white color that is usually used in this type of constructions. The thick walls of the rooms used to be made of dry stone and lime was used, centuries ago, both as a decorative element and disinfectant. Today it is still one of the hallmarks of Ibizan ‘fincas’ or ‘casas payesas’.
The high ceilings reinforced with beams of sabina wood and the absence of decorative elements, opting for a more sober and functional architecture, are other of the basic features of traditional Ibiza houses.
The location of the Ibizan estates is also an important detail, as in ancient times both the orientation and adaptation to the environment to make the most of the arable land around was a key factor.
Idylic authentic classic detached ibizencan country house (“casa payesa”)
The importance of windows in traditional Ibizan houses
When we see a typical Ibiza house it can surprise the reduced size of the windows and their lack of symmetry. They were projected in this way (the exterior opening wider than the interior) to maintain the temperature of the interior stable throughout the year.
Thus, using this technique and in conjunction with the thickness of the whitewashed walls, excessive heat was avoided in summer and vice versa in winter. An entire bioclimatic adaptation that still inspires great architects today.
It is also interesting to note that in the past, glass was not used in these windows either.
Can Palau, a 19th Century farm house usually called a “Finca Ibicenca” on the Island
Taking advantage of the remains of Posidonia to isolate the roofs
Another traditional technique that continues to surprise with its ingenuity is the use of wood, ash, remains of oceanic posidonia and clay to insulate and waterproof the roofs of typical Ibizan houses.
These, which are totally flat, had a double use: they are used to dry or “sunbathe” the different fruits of the orchard, as well as to collect rainwater that is subsequently channelled into a cistern.
Another feature of an architecture, that of the Ibizan ‘casa payesa’, which stands out for its sustainability and adaptation to the environment.
Great house with a lot of charm, new construction and Ibizan finca style with a land of 15,000m2
The original distribution of the Ibizan FINCAS
If there is one part of Ibiza’s traditional houses that stands out, it is undoubtedly its main façade or “porxo”. This is the area through which you access the living room, the main area that communicates with the other rooms of a typical Ibizan house: kitchen, bedroom and warehouse.
These interior rooms are characterised by their Arab influence and share features such as their modular composition, as well as the economy of means.
However, none of these rooms has a really defined function. In fact, the kitchen (the only place where a fire could formerly be lit) served in extraordinarily cold seasons as a bedroom.
Beautiful Ibicencan finca style house near the village of San Rafael
New trends inspired by the ‘casa payesa’
Although different materials and more modern techniques are used, today the “Ibizan finca” continues to inspire architects and designers. The bioclimatic adaptation, the sustainability of the construction or the shift towards minimalism are three key elements for the traditional Ibiza house to continue setting the trend.
And the practicality, the functionality and the design of the new constructions or rehabilitations inpsiradas in the Ibizan style, three factors so that you begin to look for the typical Ibizan house of your dreams.
