Farmhouses or "masos"
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The “mas” or Catalan farmhouse is the most complex of these structures and was used only during certain periods of the year.
The most common “mas” was two storied and rectangular, generally built against the slope of the land so that each floor had its own access from the outside. The upper level, usually built facing the threshing floor, consisted of the farmer’s living quarters and a storage area for tools and harvest. The lower level was used as a barn and hayloft for the livestock.
The single sloped roof slanted in the direction of the hill. Rainwater was gathered by eaves, which channeled it to the cistern where it could be stored.
The floor system was made up of pine beams generally covered with a layer of plaster that was supported by small arches, flagstone, or wattle. To construct the roof, wattle was laid on top of the wooden roof beams, and then covered with clay roof tiles.