OHLAB has unveiled Casa Óculo, a single-family residence in Palma, Mallorca, defined by a large flat roof and a signature circular oculus. The project, which emphasizes passive thermal comfort and a deep connection to Mediterranean landscapes, uses light to mark the passage of time within the home. The residence is situated on the outskirts of Palma, where the practice, led by co-founders Paloma Hernaiz and Jaime Oliver, is based.
Architectural Gestures and Passive Design in Palma
Casa Óculo is organized around a bold, singular architectural element: a flat roof that stretches from east to west. This roof is supported by a series of load-bearing walls finished in lime mortar and arranged along a north–south axis. These walls define the layout of the house, organize circulation, and frame views of the surrounding mountains while shielding neighboring properties. The orientation of these walls also promotes natural cross-ventilation, which contributes to passive thermal comfort throughout the year.
The architects extend the roof beyond the enclosed volumes, creating deep perimeter porches that serve as transitional spaces between the interior and exterior. These shaded areas reduce solar exposure during warmer months while allowing outdoor spaces to remain usable throughout the year. The design team noted that the simplicity of the geometry proved to be one of their greatest challenges. According to Hernaiz and Oliver, achieving this clarity required extreme precision—from cutting the oculus into the roof to aligning and proportioning the load-bearing walls and integrating natural materials like stone, wood, and brass in a way that felt effortless.
The Oculus as a Domestic Sundial
A defining feature of the project is a circular roof opening positioned above the main terrace. Formed as an oblique, off-center truncated cone, the oculus is designed to capture low winter sunlight and direct it into the living room. As the sun moves throughout the day, the beam of light shifts across the interior, moving from the dining area toward the living room.
Time plays a key role in the house – not only in the daily movement of sunlight through the oculus, which marks the hours like a domestic sundial, but also in a slower, subtler way: through the materials themselves,
say Hernaiz and Oliver. During the summer, the higher solar angle keeps direct sunlight within the terrace, limiting heat gain inside the house.
Materiality and the Evolution of the Building
The material palette consists of natural and durable finishes, including stone flooring, wooden carpentry, and natural brass details. The architects chose these materials because they weather beautifully over time. The lime mortar walls are central to this philosophy. Hernaiz and Oliver explain: The lime mortar walls are alive – they age, breathe, and slowly develop a patina that adds depth and texture over time. This idea of architecture that improves with age and connects to natural rhythms was central to our concept.
The project was inspired by a blend of Mediterranean vernacular architecture, a strong interest in sensory experience, and a fascination with the passage of time. Lush vegetation surrounds the home, and the overall design seeks to create a changing relationship between light, space, and time.
Contemporary Residential Approaches in Spain
The focus on balancing enclosure and openness is reflected in other contemporary Spanish projects, such as Casa Violetas in Madrid, designed by Werk Estudio. This single-family house utilizes a central courtyard as the heart of the home, providing a sanctuary of natural light, ventilation, and privacy. Similar to the spatial strategies seen in Casa Óculo, Casa Violetas is designed as a continuous architectural form that folds around its central courtyard, creating a sequence of spaces that alternate between openness and intimacy.
The architectural expression of Casa Violetas reflects this spatial duality. Toward the exterior, the building appears solid and enclosed, defined by thick walls and limited openings to provide privacy and security. Conversely, the inner facade facing the patio becomes lighter and more permeable. The project also integrates bioclimatic principles to optimize thermal comfort and reduce energy demand, combining passive strategies like cross ventilation and solar control with aerothermal energy, underfloor heating and cooling systems, and photovoltaic technology.
Both Casa Óculo and Casa Violetas demonstrate a contemporary trend of anchoring modern homes within their specific geographical and climatic contexts, utilizing passive design to marry aesthetic ambition with environmental performance.
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