Designed as a self-sufficient rural habitat, the project integrates food, energy, and economic productivity into one architectural system. A greenhouse orchard regulates temperature and provides year-round food for a farming family, using composted organic waste as natural fertiliser—closing the loop with zero environmental impact. A solar farm supplies off-grid energy, supporting independence in remote areas. Inside, flexible spaces accommodate the daily rhythms of rural life and can expand to host tourists seeking an immersive agricultural experience.

The house celebrates sensory engagement with local materials—moderating temperature, absorbing sound, filtering light, and connecting with cultural traditions. Its efficient, envelope-style construction reduces joints, simplifies assembly, and minimises labour, transportation, and material costs. The structure is designed for progressive growth: modular units and a beam-supported second level allow the home to expand from 60m² to over 90m² as the family’s needs evolve.

In this high-altitude context, the geography dictates the form. The greenhouse is oriented for optimal solar exposure, rising lightly from the land to preserve topography and reduce the need for heavy foundations. Prefabricated structural elements ensure accessibility and speed of construction, while elevated design and natural ventilation strategies maintain thermal efficiency. The result is a house that is both rooted in its environment and carefully attuned to its ecological footprint—designed as an architectural section in harmony with the land.

The Vernacular Greenhouse prototype in Colombia focuses on minimising environmental impact through efficient, low-carbon construction strategies. Designed as a prefabricated structure, the project relies on assembly rather than conventional construction—significantly reducing on-site activity and material waste. As a roof-led design, the prefabricated canopy becomes the defining architectural element, enabling a reduction of up to 80% in ground disturbance and construction-related emissions.

Interior partitions use dry, elementary construction techniques and can be adapted to locally available materials, enhancing flexibility and sustainability. Passive bioclimatic design plays a critical role: the terraced greenhouse effect captures solar heat, while the building’s layout and materials retain warmth through thermal inertia and spatial compartmentalisation—eliminating the need for mechanical heating and reducing overall energy demand.