The Eco Houses

Sustainable real estate – live ecologically in Italy with BioArchitecture

EcoBajardo’s natural stone houses were developed as a holistic concept to unite a healthy way of life with soft energy technologies. The project has resulted in energy-efficient homes with low maintenance costs that promote healthy living while meeting the highest standards in ecology as well as aesthetics. All materials are selected with building biology in mind so as not to provoke any allergic reactions.

The captivating village centre, with its winding alleyways and stunning panorama, is built on partially extent historical structures, giving every rebuilt house its original identity back following years of study, in cooperation with the local community. The centre of Bajardo itself is highly developed, utilising soft energy and future technologies in the spirit of sustainable development.

Houses are constructed of solid natural stone. Arches and vaults in the ground floor were retained as far as possible in their original state.

Exterior walls, made of local stone, have retained their typical, rustic character. The inner layer is fitted with full heat insulation in the form of reed panels, system-oriented clay plaster and integrated modular wall heating systems.

Roof terraces were built from scratch based on existing architecture.

Cellars, if still extant, retain their rustic character up to the ceiling. Ground floors, insulated against damp, contain storage and community washrooms, as well as connecting, heating and electricity spaces.

Floors, stairways and landings in external areas are clad in slate or terracotta.

Stairways are constructed from solid wood (larch, oak and chestnut), integrated in the living area and acoustically separated.

Light rooms (2-3 floors) offer generously proportioned and open spaces on a variety of levels. Houses consist of 1-2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a modern kitchen, including electrical appliances.

Interior room walls are coated in pastel-coloured clay plaster.

Baths reach a height of c. 1.20 m and walls are fitted with 40×30 cm tiles in from floor to ceiling in the shower area.

Solid wood hallways in living-areas are insulated with jute and clay. Floor-coverings in bathrooms match the wall-coverings. Following appropriate sealing, the base of roof terraces is underlain with terracotta.

Door- and window-frames are made from solid timber. All windows are double-glazed. External window shutters, for sun protection and privacy are made from solid, natural wood.

House entry doors and frames are constructed as security doors from solid timber, floor insulation and wrought-iron fittings. The entrance area, next to the entry door, shall be fitted with a video reception device, bell and letter-box. The lintel is fitted with a low-voltage light that can be switched on or off from inside the house.
Interior doors contain door leaf and frames made from solid wood.

Particular attention was devoted to the roofs.
Beams and boards are made from solid chestnut wood and are anchored within house masonry. Tyvek is used as moisture insulation, with wood shavings and cork panels being used for heat insulation, and ventilated roof cladding made from clay tiles is standard.

Solar Energy
Energy is generated through a photovoltaic system installed on all roof areas not lying in shadow. Systems are further coupled with a cooling mechanism, driven by excess heat, which creates a healthy atmosphere indoors using heating elements integrated into the clay-plaster wall coverings.

Key Facts

• First occupancy
• Square meters: 120-140 m2
• Floors: 2-3
• Rooms: 2-3
• Bathrooms: 2
• Outdoor facilities, community garden
• Electrical service room, laundry facilities
• Views: Sea and Mountain
• Heating technology: Panel heating and cooling
• Energy supply: Photovoltaic power plants

Ecological Building Materials

• Natural Stone Walls
• Claytile-roof cladding
• sustainable ecological insulation
• reed-panels, cork oak, system-oriented loam rendering
• solid wood frames and shutters
• Natural stone floors
  (Ardesia, Terracotta) including staircases, stair-heads

Equipment

• Interior wall surfaces with pale loam plaster
• Interior doors: solid wood frames and leaves
• solid floorboards with acoustic insulation
• Designer Bathrooms (Installations)
• Modern comfortable kitchen, electric appliances
• front door safety – steel-clad and covered with solid wood
• double glazing
• Video Door Intercom System
• Broadband/DSL

Location and Distances

Zoom

• Bajardo, Imperia, Italy
• Nature Park Monteceppo
• Situated within minutes of schools, shopping, etc.
• San Remo (Railway) 25 mins drive, 12.42 miles/20 km
• Monte-Carlo/Monaco 30 miles/48 km, about 50 mins drive
• International Airport Nice 37 miles/60 km, about 60 mins drive
• Bus connections to the coast
• Neighborhood Infrastructure:
  food stores, excellent restaurants, post office, bank (Postbank/Eurogiro), medical services, general practitioner care, pharmacy, bed & breakfast

Sports

mountain biking, hiking, climbing, skiing, horse riding, marina/yachthafen, golf, surfing, kiting, water ski, hang gliding, tennis, rafting, whale watching