BAT Bilbao Architecture Team has completed IB House, a 910-square-meter two-family residence in Galdakao, Basque Country, constructed entirely from cross-laminated timber and finished with a charred larch façade. The project examines how timber construction can define contemporary residential architecture while maintaining a strong connection to local building traditions. The architects used CLT as both structural system and interior finish, allowing the material to shape the spatial and atmospheric qualities of the house. The Yakisugi façade, created through controlled charring of the wood surface, protects the exterior while giving the building a distinct visual presence rooted in craft and material transformation.
HOUSING
The building organizes two dwellings within a single architectural entity through a composition of L-shaped volumes. These forms define exterior courtyards and internal spatial sequences while maintaining separate identities for each residence. Linear cuts through the structure introduce vertical voids that establish double- and triple-height spaces at entrances and main living areas. These openings guide natural light deep into the interior and connect different levels visually. The architects treated void as an active spatial element, allowing absence to define movement, perception, and orientation throughout the building.
A fragmented roof composition reinforces this spatial strategy. Four pitched roof volumes surround a central flat-roofed section, creating variation in height and scale. This arrangement responds to the site’s topography and reduces the visual mass of the structure. Large façade openings frame views toward the surrounding landscape, extending interior life outward. Generous glazing in living areas connects kitchens and social spaces with outdoor terraces and the pool, strengthening the relationship between domestic routines and the natural environment.
The interior unfolds across three levels connected through exposed timber circulation cores. CLT surfaces remain visible across walls, ceilings, and staircases, establishing continuity between structural system and interior atmosphere. Vertical openings allow daylight to enter staircases and communal spaces, while English courtyards bring light into the lower level, where garages and gathering areas occupy partially submerged volumes. Bedrooms and private rooms on the upper level provide quieter environments, separated from the main social zones while maintaining visual links through the vertical voids.
Material performance guided the construction strategy. CLT allowed precise prefabrication, reduced waste, and improved thermal efficiency while storing carbon within the building structure. The Yakisugi treatment increased durability by protecting the timber from moisture, insects, and weather exposure without chemical coatings. The charred surface introduced depth and texture, reinforcing the architectural identity of the house while extending the lifespan of the façade.
IB House positions timber as both structural framework and spatial medium. BAT Bilbao Architecture Team coordinated architecture, interior design, and landscape to produce a unified environment where geometry, light, and material define the experience of living. The project demonstrates how contemporary timber construction can create residential architecture that responds directly to climate, site, and human occupation while maintaining a clear and disciplined architectural language.
