“I don’t like ‘patchwork architecture’,” says Catalan designer Jaime Serra, principal of firm Atlant del Vent (ADV), who created a year-round residence for a French director and his wife on the island of Ibiza, Spain. Resting lightly on a gently sloped site, the house is a study in restraint, swathed in a simple palette of polished concrete, white plaster and rusted steel. “I tell my clients that there should only be three materials per room—the end result is guaranteed to be neutral, clean and minimal.” Situated in the heart of the island, in a rustic preserve amid scores of olive, orange, and almond trees, the house faces south toward the oldest part of Ibiza, Dalt Vila. Two stacked-rock walls form the house’s main axis, and separate the structure into living spaces that transition day to night, inside to out. “The residents were initially looking for a traditional look with a touch of contemporary architecture, a home that could be usable for all-year-round living, rather than just the summer months,” Serra explains. The architect satisfied this need by installing elegant pocket doors that disappear into the main living space’s apertures, effectively creating a passively cooled environment for the balmy months when thrown open, or a protected and cozy space during the cooler times of year.​ The main living room, an elegantly mod space with a sunken conversation pit and gleaming concrete floors, is flanked by generous outdoor spaces. One side opens completely to a pool terrace with a long lap pool and a series of custom double chaises covered in terry, while the other captures views of a low-maintenance garden bisected by a central trough-like fountain/irrigation system. Serra’s restraint in the way of material texture is echoed by the residents’ choice of furnishings. Stretching over the conversation pit, which was carved directly into the concrete, is a circa-1962 Arco Floor Lamp by Achille Castiglioni and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni for Flos. Low-slung cushions line the interior of the space, while a custom chaise longue created by Serra is just the side. ​ Open to the living space is a quietly scaled dining space, augmented by a huge wall-size window framing the view of the Ibiza terrain, broken only by the straightforward symmetry of the pool terrace and lap pool. A hand-blown Murano glass chandelier, its bright-red opulence a measured juxtaposition to the black-and-white artwork that lines another wall, is the only punctuation of hue in the room. The table, also custom created by Serra, is amply proportioned and is surrounded by ten linen-covered armchairs. “We can define nice and clean spaces without overloading it with too much decoration,” insists Serra. ​ On the other side of the wall is the kitchen, with is a sleek space defined by stainless steel pieces, including a rolling workstation designed by Serra. The stacked-rock wall, a consistent gesture throughout the residence, presents a pleasing counterpoint to the smooth and unencumbered feel of the appliances. A deep work sink is found in the center island, which is separated from the range by a goodly amount of walking space, which, coupled with the amount of horizontal work space sprinkled throughout, makes the kitchen space perfect for hosting and serving large parties, while maintaining a relatively small footprint within the building’s overall square footage. A small aperture between the kitchen and dining space further underscores the separate-but-equal nature of the two rooms, making it possible to monitor the action in the dining area without intruding needlessly. The grounds, conceived by landscape designer Stefan LaHaye under the guidance of Serra and his team, makes use of Ibiza’s naturally arid clime, and is populated with low-water plantings that are native the area. Irrigated by what Serra calls a ‘drop-drop system,’ the garden “avoids excessive consumption of water,” explains the architect. “Because the plants are native to Ibiza, they are not very thirsty!” As noted previously, this garden space is bisected by a steel trough, or water channel, with a  form that underscores the main axis of the structure. This feature, which strongly asserts itself inside and out, was the main guideline for the house, according to Serra. The main bedroom space is nestled just off the main living / dining and kitchen areas, facing the pool terrace. Again using the stacked-rock texture to delineate space, Serra custom designed a hardwood case good to rest just beneath the strong, horizontal window that is just opposite the bed. A half wall separates the bedroom from the bathroom, which features a glass-enclosed shower area and a built-in tub. A simple ladder holds towels, while a double vanity spans the length of the half wall. Spare and serene, the bathroom area feels just as open to the outdoors as do the rest of the rooms in the house.  Restricting an architectural program to just a trio of well chosen materials may seem strict to some, but in the case of Serra’s structure, the careful calibration has a lugubrious effect. Continuity reigns supreme at this property, offering a calm respite from the desert that encircles it. When asked if he achieved his primary goals in building the house, Serra replies: “This is a year-round living situation, balancing between the natural beauty of Ibiza and the contemporary architectural program,” he explains. “Above all, it’s empowering to harness sun light everywhere in a house—to me, that defines the notion of total connectedness with nature.” written by Amanda Dameron