Project Description
Positive Home Barcelona new build
We are proud to introduce the first Passive House Plus in Spain, featuring a solid wood structure and a grey water recycling system—a true milestone in sustainable architecture!
Designed for a British-Panamese couple seeking a sustainable, elegant, and cozy home, this residence combines functionality, timeless design, and exceptional environmental performance, operating almost entirely off-grid for electricity.
The home is thoughtfully designed around a central patio, with large windows, skyligths and spacious terraces that flood the interiors with natural light and create a connection between indoor and outdoor spaces. This design not only enhances comfort but also embraces the beauty of its surroundings.
Perfect for its owners relocating to Barcelona, Spain from the USA after years living in California.
The house offers the ideal balance of American-sized comfort, European sustainability, and a strong connection to nature with 180º views almost in every room.
Nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains, it provides a peaceful and harmonious living experience.

This Positive Home near Barcelona is thoughtfully designed around a central entrance patio, which serves as the heart of the house and creates a warm, inviting atmosphere.
The ground floor features a spacious layout dedicated to day-to-day living, including an open-plan kitchen- dining-livingroom area, garage-workshop-gym, and a fully wheelchair-accessible en-suite bedroom.
Between the central patio and the kitchen, two strategically placed skylights flood the space with natural light, blending the indoors and outdoors harmoniously.
The first floor consists of a smaller volume housing two en-suite bedrooms, allowing for expansive surrounding terraces that offer breathtaking 180º views of the mountains and landscape.
This dual-level design balances functionality with seamless in-out living, perfectly capturing the beauty of the Mediterranean landscape from the sea to the mountains.
- Central Entrance Patio: A welcoming hub at the heart of the home.
- Groundfloor Layout: day areas open plan with in-out feel and a wheel accessible en-suite.
First Floor Volume: Bedrooms surrounded by terraces with 180º views of the sea and mountains.




Groundfloor Design
The ground floor of the Positive Home is thoughtfully designed to maximize functionality, comfort, and connection with nature. At its heart is the open-plan American-size kitchen, which features an island and bar, seamlessly connected to a large square dining table perfect for family gatherings and celebrations.
The dining area is surrounded by expansive windows that flood the space with natural light and provide access to an outdoor dining terrace.
This level also includes a wheelchair-accessible en-suite bedroom, designed with a fully accessible shower to ensure inclusivity. Also a separated versatile open area serves as a garage, gym, wood workshop, and installation room, making the ground floor a hub of activity and convenience, all while maintaining a modern and sustainable aesthetic.
- Kitchen-Centric Layout:
- Open American-size kitchen with island & bar connected to a dining area with a square table.
- Surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows and access to the outdoor dining space.
- Natural Light Features:
- Skylights above the kitchen entrance create a luminous, airy ambiance.
- Accessible Living:
- A fully accessible en-suite bedroom with a barrier-free shower.
- Multi-purpose Garage Space:
- Functions as a garage, gym, workshop, and installations room.


Master bedroom
The master bedroom on the first floor of the Positive Home is a private retreat that blends luxury with nature.
It includes a dedicated dressing room, a modern en-suite bathroom, and direct access to a private terrace with a pergola.
The bedroom itself is surrounded by expansive windows that invite in abundant natural light and offer sweeping 180º views of the picturesque landscape, creating an immersive connection with the outdoors. This serene retreat allows you to enjoy the scenery, whether basking in the Spring sun by day or gazing at the full Summer moon by night.
The bathroom is designed for ultimate comfort, offering a double-sink vanity, a walk-in shower, and a freestanding island bathtub positioned strategically to provide views of the Mediterranean Sea through a large glass door that gives access to another terrace.
- Private and Panoramic:
- Master bedroom with private dressing room, en-suite bathroom, and terrace with pergola.
- Island bathtub with glass-door access to a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.
- Expansive 180º views, surrounded by windows and terrace access.
- Surrounding terraces with birds’ waterers for a full nature experience.


Thinking about building your Positive home?
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Owners’ Vision
The project was inspired by a couple with a shared deep commitment to sustainability and nature conservation. After living in the USA and Panama, they chose to retire near Barcelona to enjoy a sustainable, nature-connected lifestyle with family and friends.
Their journey to this dream home was also shaped by their previous building experiences: in the USA, they faced frustrating challenges with traditional contractors, while in Panama, they took on the ambitious task of self-building much of their bio-conservation retreat in the jungle.
ERA Architects skillfully balanced these two perspectives, providing a collaborative approach that gave the couple confidence and helped them achieve their vision.
Now, living in their Passive House near Barcelona, they marvel at the unique surrounding experience, often recounting how the full moon illuminates their home so brightly it feels like sunrise, creating a magical connection to the natural environment.
This home is not only a sustainable haven but a deeply personal realisation of their aspirations for comfort, functionality, and harmony with nature.



Thinking about building your Positive home?
Let’s see if we can help you with an online chat
book 1st call
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Sustainability at Its Core
Sustainability lies at the core of the Positive Home, which is designed to meet the rigorous Passive House Plus certification standards plus water harvesting in a drought region.
This eco-friendly house achieves near-off-grid status through advanced energy efficiency and water-saving measures. Powered by an 8kW solar panel system and a single battery, the home minimises energy consumption thanks to superior insulation, airtight construction, and strategic solar heat capture through the windows during the winter months.
Beyond energy efficiency, the house goes above and beyond Passive House requirements by incorporating rainwater harvesting, as well as greywater recycling for irrigation, ensuring responsible water use.
Built with a Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) structure, the home not only reduced construction time but also emphasises the use of renewable materials, making it a model of sustainable living near Barcelona.
Passive House PLUS Certification
- A higher level of Passive House certification ensures this home is nearly off-grid, offering also optimal indoor air quality and energy efficiency.
Energy Efficiency
- Powered by an 8kW solar panel system and a single battery.
- High insulation and solar heat capture enable minimal energy use year-round despite not having massive solar energy nor batteries.
Water Conservation
- Rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling for irrigation complement Passive House standards.
Innovative CLT Wood Structure
- The Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) construction reduced the structure build time to just five days.

ERA Architects’ Positive Home close to Barcelona is perfect for those seeking a sustainable lifestyle while enjoying the cultural richness of Spain.
Whether you’re considering a move to Barcelona-Spain or planning to retire in Barcelona-Spain; this home combines luxury, sustainability, and functionality in a breathtaking combined style.
Team:
Itzel, Jesús, Jorge, Albert, Oriol, Stefan, Esther
ERA architects
+34 932 200 288
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