Deep within the Ibiza psyche lies an architectural wisdom that has endured for millennia. On March 29, 2025, at TEDxDaltVila, Rolf Blakstad took the stage to share a compelling vision: that the key to sustainable architecture has been with us all along, hidden in plain sight within the island’s traditional homes.
Born and raised in Ibiza, Rolf has spent his life immersed in the island’s rich architectural heritage. His father, a designer himself and a researcher and documentarian of Ibiza’s traditional homes, instilled in him a deep appreciation for the ingenuity of the island’s farmhouses. Built with mud, stone and wood, and designed in harmony with nature, these ancient homes share striking similarities with the earliest human settlements.
Taking the stage, Rolf presented to the audience the principles that guided Ibiza’s “barefoot builders” – the local craftsmen who, without formal training, instinctively understood how to create spaces that were both functional, beautiful and deeply aligned to the landscape. Inherently sustainable, these architectural forebears offer lessons that remain profoundly relevant today. Lessons that the team at Blakstad Architects and Design Studio incorporate into each and every one of their designs.
Despite his expertise and lengthy career, Rolf admitted that preparing for TEDxDaltVila was an intimidating process. “The team had approached me two years ago for the inaugural event,” he says. “I declined. I wasn’t sure people would be interested in what I had to say, and I’ve watched a lot of TED videos. It’s daunting!” Finally, for the third annual TEDxDaltVila, he decided it was time to face his fears.
The journey from thought to live presentation involved moving away from his usual casual style of communication to a more structured format that could be delivered in a natural and engaging style. He credited the TEDxDaltVila team for their guidance, their systematised feedback and training sessions that helped him refine his message into something both accessible and impactful. “I had to find a spoken voice, not a written voice, which is very different,” he says. “I had to really focus on what I wanted to convey. You have to find an emotional connection to what you are saying. Writing is so much easier!”
Once the script had been refined, Rolf had to memorise it, finding the cadence and emphasis, figuring out the strategic pauses, and learning what to do with his body at the same time. “I was constantly practising,” he says. “While I went running, in the shower, in the car, in the middle of the night. It’s intense.”
At the core of Rolf’s presentation was a powerful idea: sustainable architecture is not just about materials or energy efficiency – it’s about our emotional response to the spaces we inhabit. He reflected on how Ibiza’s traditional homes fostered a deep sense of belonging, built with respect for the environment and designed to last for generations. He argued that today we are coming full circle. In an era dominated by rapid development and disposable structures, there is a growing movement to reclaim the wisdom of the past. From passive cooling techniques to natural materials, the principles of Ibiza’s vernacular architecture offer a blueprint for a more sustainable future – one that respects history while embracing modern innovation.
TEDxDaltVila 2025 provided the perfect platform for Rolf’s message. With its mission to unite Ibiza’s local community with global thinkers, the event served as a catalyst for discussions on sustainability, heritage and the future of design. His talk was not just about architecture but about the broader question of how we engage with our surroundings and honour the lessons of the past.
As Ibiza continues to evolve, Rolf’s vision reminds us that the solutions to modern challenges often lie in the wisdom of our ancestors. By looking back, we can move forward to build a world that is not only more sustainable but also more connected to the landscapes and traditions that define us.
