Here is a tiny house unlike any other you have likely seen. Dubbed “The Truffle,” this experimental abode was built by Ensamble Studio in 2010 in Costa da Morte. It was designed so that it would blend right into its surroundings.
Construction involved boring a hole in the earth and then piling up that same topsoil to create a perimeter. Hay bales and poured mass concrete complete the construction.
The goal of the architect was to find a way for the building and environment to feed each others’ development. The properties of the environment are reflected in the home, while the concrete has brought strength and structural integrity to the earth.
The process of clearing out the interior was quite fascinating as well. You will recall that hay was used in construction. Well, that hay was still inside the building after the outer structure was formed, and had to be removed. So a calf named Paulina showed up to eat it.
The result is an astonishing natural space. Amazingly, it is complete with all the amenities of comfortable living, despite the very rustic appearance of the exterior. Indeed, there is a kind of elegant minimalism to the furnishings.
The home even has a working fireplace.
Check out that incredible view!
I particularly adore this evening shot. The ambient lighting in the house is beautiful, and the rough shape of the window does an amazing job framing the view of the sea. The simplicity of the furnishings doesn’t distract from the outside world. Plus, the strong horizontals in the bed, the bathroom counter and the fireplace mantel contrast with the rough-hewn walls,
but draw the eye to the strong line of the horizon through the window.
You can watch a video of The Truffle under construction below to get a better idea for how it all came together:
Want to learn more about this unique tiny house? Be sure to visit Ensamble Studio here https://www.ensamble.info/thetruffle.
