Can Tanca

A zero-carbon house in beautiful, rural Ibiza. The exquisite Can Tanca in one of the only homes in the world to be certified both Passivhaus and BREEAM for its eco credentials.

Set in the heart of the Ibizan countryside, Can Tanca and its stunning grounds are a flawless study in self-sufficiency and elegance.

Designed by the founder of Ibizan architecture and landscape design studio Terravita, Can Tanca is a future-proofed, off-grid family home with three bedrooms, an open-plan living area, a generous home study and landscaped grounds to retreat to. Surrounded by lush countryside and an established fruit orchard, this is the perfect home for a healthy, eco-friendly life.

“Can Tanca is a dream come true,” says its designer Jason Watson Todd. “I consider it to be a great example of what we are trying to achieve because it brings together the most important elements of building: energy efficiency and sustainable materials. It’s a zero-emission house, totally self-sufficient, and in addition to being certified as a Passivhaus in its highest category – Premium – it has just achieved the BREEAM environmental certification, which is one of the most demanding sustainable building standards in the world.”

As well as its eco-friendly credentials, Can Tanca combines beauty, design, comfort and convenience. All white and timber tones, from the outside the villa looks like a modern take on Ibicencan traditions. Step inside and you’ll find sleek architectural lines and sophisticated design.

Interior spaces are united by a simple palette of white render and natural timer including bathrooms and bedrooms. The floor throughout the home is made of compressed bamboo, while the kitchen joinery is carved from oak. A polished island creates subtle zones and modern pendant lights tie the kitchen and dining area together.

Completely off grid, this home generates more-than-enough electricity with solar panels and stores the excess in batteries. Pure water from a natural well is in abundant supply. It is used throughout the house and filtered and purified for drinking. A rainwater harvesting system supports this and is also purified for use in the home as well as an additional black and greywater recycling system. The well water is used to directly top up the natural pool and is filtered via a bed of aquatic plants. This then feeds the fruit orchard and the vegetable patch.

The structure of the house is built using sustainably grown wood and lime render is used on the external walls, painted white in keeping with the island’s distinctive style. A wraparound timber terrace frames the outdoor living space and looks out onto the red clay fields and pine valleys that surround it. Past the terrace, the natural swimming pool creates a feeling of coolness on hot days and if you wander out into the grounds, you’ll come across the fruit orchard, citrus trees, avocados and a vegetable patch that supplies the house.

Admire the artistic statues in the garden while you seek out the bespoke playground – where trampolines, swings and a zipwire will keep children entertained for hours. An outdoor gym and yoga deck ensure wellness extends beyond the thoughtful design of the home.