IB House: Balancing Space and Material

In Galdakao, in the Basque Country, BAT Bilbao Architecture Team has completed IB House, a semi-detached residence that merges technical expression, formal language, and a contemporary vision of domestic life.

The design uses negative space as a generative principle, creating a quality environment through light, connectivity, and perception. Wood – a combination of CLT and Yakisugi cladding – both serves as the structural framework and defines the visual identity, shaping the residence’s space, light, and atmosphere.

IB House: Construction strategy as language

A coherence between technical execution and form guides the project. The load-bearing structure is CLT, which, left exposed throughout much of the project, also serves as an expressive element. The walls, floors, and stairs create a warm, tactile environment where natural light modulates the perception of the surfaces and emphasizes the consistent timber grain.

The facade cladding is larch treated with the Japanese Yakisugi (or Shou Sugi Ban) technique. This centuries-old surface charring process enhances the wood’s natural durability, protecting it from moisture, fire, insects, and weathering without the use of chemicals. It produces a dark, tactile skin that complements the continuous timber surfaces of the interior.

The combination of CLT and Yakisugi ensures high thermal performance, reduces construction timelines through prefabrication, and limits environmental impact. In this balance of innovation and tradition, construction becomes a language – for the architects, the assembly strategy translates directly into the building’s aesthetic.

The central role of negative space

Both residences are L-shaped volumes that frame the outdoor areas, creating a direct connection between the interior and exterior while giving each home a distinct yet coherent character. Two linear cuts traverse the main volume, creating double- and triple-height spaces at the entrances and communal areas. These functional voids capture and distribute natural light, visually connecting the levels and expanding the sense of space as one moves through the home.

The main floor contains the social spaces – kitchen, living, and dining areas – which open onto the pool and outdoor terrace through expansive glazing. The upper level contains the private quarters, offering a more secluded and intimate atmosphere. Illuminated by glazed light wells recessed into the terrain, the lower level houses the garages and shared utility spaces. Timber extends through all three levels, providing a material continuity that unifies the spatial experience.

By aligning construction methods with spatial logic, the design forms a cohesive whole where sustainability, sensory quality, and formal clarity converge into a unified vision of contemporary living.

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