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This stands for a newly opened restaurant in the heart of Portixol/Moliar – one of the most trendiest places in Palma. The restaurant called LaMucca has his base in Madrid, with over 15 restaurants. The concept is simple but successful, they call it “high-low” meaning you get the best quality of local, regional, organic food for a reasonable price. Exceptional is the attidude of the staff and the local manager – all of the staff members present themselves with their name – you don`t have to ask for the waiter – you ask for your personal assistant. Miquel is the star, in organisation, leading and treating the guest – because he understands, whatever mood you have, this will affect the staff and finanlly the guests.

This feel-good atmosphere is also represented by the restored icon – the harbour of Molinar and the harbour tower. The interior of the restaurant, even the large parasols fitting the exterior of the building perfectly. Their is a slightly italian vibe comming with it. There is also a new trend going on, back to the roots of building houses and restore places. More and more architects using materials from Mallorca to represent the history and transform it to the future of housing nowadays.

Joan J Fortuny and Alventosa Morell Arquitectes have created 54 social housing units in Inca, Mallorca. The 54 Social Housing project in Inca represents a forward-thinking approach to sustainable urban living. By integrating modern architectural techniques with eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems, this development sets a benchmark for future projects worldwide. Jaume Luis Salas, the architect of Mares, a small studio located in Mallorca. They have been working years on issues of architecture, heritage, and territorial planning, and they are dedicated to creating homes with the most sustainable standards possible. The first aspiration was to create a home integrated into the environment and that met the user’s needs. Our environment has certain constraints due to its high heritage and landscape value, it is a very emblematic and recognized place in the municipality. The second was to create an ecological and passive house, which we call a biopassive construction. We have been paying attention to the materials for years, to their sustainability, trying to ensure they are local, and above all seeking energy efficiency, considering that we live on an island where everything is very limited. 

These concepts of material limits, integration, and especially because we wanted to make the house as sustainable as possible, we were helped by the energy consulting firm Zero Consulting, which evaluated and modelled the building to ultimately become a passive building. Yes, we try to look for local materials as much as possible, although resources are very limited and local materials are often moreexpensivethan imported ones. Consider that there is enormous urban pressure on the island, which causes most of the construction material to be imported. And this amount makes them more competitive in price, because the scarcity of resources is also an important factor. The use of insulation on the inside is due to different reasons. In the first version of the project, the insulation was on the outside, but we finally decided on another construction detail. Mediterranean architecture makes extensive use of overhangs, porches and other solar control elements (especially the creation of covered outdoor spaces). All this causes the use of insulation on the exterior to complicate execution and at the same time make the system more expensive. Using insulation on the inside considerably reduces the amount of that Material, and therefore, its cost, and also facilitates the resolution of thermal bridges.It’s about criteria. We have opted for the use of a high-efficiency aerothermal system supported by the production of photovoltaic Solar energy. We have been implementing this system for years for several reasons: cost, maintenance, and because we believe the energy produced can be managed and distributed better. Architecture isbecomingincreasingly numerical in the sense of calculation, analysis and estimation of structures, energy, water consumption, luminosity, analysis of the life cycle of materials, etc… and all of this in the construction sector, where historically it has not been very permeable to change. Anyway Mallorca is moving in the right direction, becomming more sensitive about the enviroment and keeping the natural resources in balance. 

Whatever works external should be continued internal. A lot of product designers who are more environmentally conscious now are looking at sourcing recycled materials when conceptualizing new products. Consumers are also more curious about the ingredients and materials used to create products they are considering and for some, it plays a major factor in that decision. There is also a growing trend towards incorporating a minimalist kind of aesthetic in these sustainable designs since of course we want to use few resources when producing things.

The Biowaste Table Lamp exemplifies the fusion of sustainability and minimalist. This lighting solution utilizes agricultural byproducts—such as coffee grounds, rice husks, and wheat bran—to craft a lamp that is both environmentally conscious and aesthetically aligned with Nordic design principles. The Terra lamp stands out by transforming organic waste into a functional and elegant home accessory. By repurposing materials that would otherwise contribute to landfill waste, the lamp not only reduces environmental impact but also brings natural textures and tones into interior spaces. The Terra lamp’s design goes beyond mere aesthetics, deeply embedding principles of sustainability into its very structure. Its compact, modular form is a deliberate choice aimed at minimizing environmental impact from the outset. By allowing the lampshade to nest snugly within the lamp’s body, the overall volume of the packaging is significantly reduced. This not only translates to less material used for packaging itself but also optimizes space during shipping, leading to lower transportation emissions, a crucial factor in reducing a product’s carbon footprint.

Furthermore, the lamp’s aesthetic is carefully considered, with soft curves and a simple two-part construction that embodies the essence of Nordic design. This style, often characterized by its clean lines, functionality, and warm, inviting feel, aligns perfectly with the principles of minimalism, ensuring the lamp remains timeless and avoids unnecessary embellishments that would require more resources.

And getting the engery flowing without throwing money out of the window. While most of us probably want to have some form of sustainable energy source at our homes, not every household has the right conditions to install some sort of device or system. But as we continue to look for more energy-efficient and environmentally safe ways to power our homes, expect there to be more companies that will look for urban living-friendly solutions. We will get easier and more practical ways to have things like photovoltaic power generation accessible to whatever space we’re living in. This will eventually remove some people’s excuses and/or reservations on why they cannot have things like solar panels in thier homes.

The CESC Solar Parasol, recently awarded the prestigious Red Dot Award: Product Design 2025, this innovative parasol seamlessly blends intelligent technology with sleek aesthetics, offering a glimpse into the future of urban living. More than just a stylish shade, the CESC Solar Parasol is a smart shading system designed to enhance both residential and commercial spaces, particularly balconies in high-rise buildings. It transforms previously underutilized areas into environmentally friendly and energy-efficient focal points.Beyond energy generation, the parasol boasts an adaptive control system that intelligently manages both energy harvesting and shading.The sun blind angle can be adjusted between 0°, 35°, and 90° within 45 seconds, allowing users to customize the shade according to their needs and the position of the sun.This operation can be conveniently controlled via a remote control or a dedicated mobile app. It’s designed for balcony mounting, transforming neglected corners into functional spaces, whether it’s a residential or commercial space.

To make the substainable voice even louder, you could invest into a Wall-Mounted Acoustic Speaker/Light -System. Have you ever walked into a space and felt immediately at ease, without quite knowing why? The subtle interplay of light and acoustics shapes our experience of interiors in ways we often perceive subconsciously. Abstracta’s Vika Wall-Mounted Acoustic Lighting, created in collaboration with renowned designer Khodi Feiz, masterfully addresses both elements with a single elegant solution that transforms walls into functional art pieces while enhancing the sensory quality of your spaces.

Imagine soft, ambient light emanating from what appears to be a sculptural wing gracefully folded against the Wall. This is the essence of Vika—a thoughtful fusion of sound absorption and illumination that creates atmospheric harmony without drawing attention to its technical sophistication. The fully integrated LED lighting remains hidden within the folded panel, casting an indirect glow that bathes surrounding surfaces in warm illumination while the panel itself works quietly to absorb both low and high-frequency sound waves.The environmental consciousness behind Vika adds another dimension to its appeal. The sound-absorbing core utilizes recycled PET bottles, transforming plastic waste into functional beauty. Covered in Texfel fabric available in various colors, the panels offer design flexibility. Lighter hues reflect more light for brighter illumination, while darker tones create more subdued, intimate lighting effects. This adaptability allows designers to fine-tune both the acoustic performance and lighting ambiance to suit specific project requirements.

When you decide carefully for yourself and the next generation, bear these innovations in mind and grab a bite at LaMucca, Restaurant in Molinar.

Yours 

Brad Smack