Son Serralta | Jaime Salvá

In the Son Serralta residential area, in Puigpunyent, Jaime Salvá Architecture & Interior design studio has designed two single-family homes for a British and an American client who decided to relocate to the island. The commission was based on the premise of creating a home that combined contemporary comfort with the authenticity of the Mediterranean lifestyle.

The house sits on a south-facing sloping plot, surrounded by native vegetation and overlooking a protected valley where no construction is permitted. This privileged setting defined the starting point of a design that adapts to the topography and takes advantage of the natural slope through a play of split levels, allowing the architecture to blend seamlessly into the landscape.

The local planning regulations required, among other restrictions, pitched roofs with Arabic tiles, ochre-toned façades, wooden carpentry, and traditional Mallorcan shutters.
These traditional elements were reinterpreted by the studio with a contemporary approach, achieving a result that feels sober, honest, and timeless. The constructive details are not merely aesthetic: the ochre tones help conceal stains caused by Saharan rains, while the wooden carpentry brings warmth and authenticity.

Inside, the layout reflects a versatile lifestyle. The ground floor combines living room, dining room, and kitchen, along with a guest toilet and laundry room — all open to the terraces, garden, and pool. Upstairs, three bedrooms (one multipurpose) offer flexibility and comfort. Life naturally extends outdoors: dining under the porch, relaxing in the garden, or descending to the pool deck are part of the everyday experience.

The selection of materials reinforces this connection with the island: Zarzi grey limestone, marés sandstone, wood, traditional Mallorcan cement, and dry-stone walls are combined to dialogue with the surroundings and ensure durability against the local climate.
The project also incorporates sustainability criteria inspired by vernacular architecture: strategic orientation with respect to the sun, cross ventilation, high-quality insulation, and the use of local materials, complemented by a landscape design by Cultivos Pima that enhances native Mediterranean vegetation.

The construction, which lasted 15 months, was carried out in collaboration with technical architect Iñaki Fernández and the builder Islabau. The result is a home that embodies the philosophy of the studio, a contemporary Mediterranean architecture that is simple and honest, highlighting light, nature, and the authenticity of life in Mallorca.

Project team

Architect and Interior Designer: Jaime Salvá
Technical Architect: Iñaki Fernández
Builder: Islabau
Landscape Design: Cultivos Pima
Client: Private
Photography: Ricard López