Batsú Studio

A Modern Bahareque Building

This project is the fruit of over twelve years of research into earthen construction—
a long journey of trial and error,
where patience walked hand in hand with the learning curve.
What now stands is a modern testament to sustainability,
a structure shaped by intuition, nature, and craft.

The following are some of the strategies that breathe life into this space:

The walls were built using a hollow-core bahareque technique:
a timber load-bearing frame filled on both sides with a one-inch layer of a clay, straw, and sand mixture—thin enough to speed drying, while the central void provides space for mechanical and electrical installations.
The leveling plaster was prepared with hydraulic lime (calcium hydroxide) and fine-sifted sand.
Walls were painted with a blend of hydraulic lime, salt, linseed oil, and water— a timeless formula drawn from natural elements.
For color, ochres and earth pigments from Don Benito were applied, grounding the walls in tones that echo the land.
Most of the timber came from certified plantations: teak, eucalyptus, and laurel— materials grown with care.
A rainwater harvesting system connects to the shower and sink, reducing dependence on the municipal water supply.
The studio is powered by an “on-grid” photovoltaic system— drawing energy from the grid only when batteries run low.
The design incorporates large sliding doors to invite cross-ventilation and natural light.
While air conditioning is available, it is used sparingly— primarily to extract humidity and keep equipment dry.
The shower walls were finished with Tadelakt, a Moroccan lime plaster technique—elegant and naturally water-repellent.
The structure rests on stilts, allowing air to circulate beneath the wooden floors, deterring insects—especially wood-borers—and preventing moisture from rising during rainy months.
Stickers were placed on glass doors to prevent bird collisions— a humble gesture in a region rich with avian life and nestled along vital migration routes.
Rainwater was also used to create ranarios—small frog habitats— micro-ecosystems that add biodiversity and song to the surroundings.
And finally, though not least: local labor was employed.