Apartament juan

Before our intervention, in this apartment overlapping stages were visible. Several uses over time had accumulated layer over layer. At first glance, one could feel a strange and blurred atmosphere. But beyond the confusion, we could perceive the power of its original defining features: a sequence of linked spaces separated by a strong rhythm of bearing walls; the distinction of spatial hierarchy through different mosaic floors; large wooden windows, and so on.

We believe that refurbishment work must make the most of existing elements, much like in the urban fabric, which is a conglomerate of different historical periods. These eras contaminate and intertwine with one another, forming a complex and ambiguous whole that can be emotionally powerful. Although in this case the pre-existence had no exceptional historical or heritage value, it was perfectly reusable and attractive. It led us to a strategy of reuse and transformation with blurred boundaries. Over this transformed pre-existence, we superimposed new functional spaces framed into wooden boxes.

The intervention involved stripping walls and ceilings of existing elements and accessories in successive operations until reaching the essential components that define the space. The walls were cleaned with a strategic rather than a hygienic intention, preserving traces, marks, and layers of paint. Structural reinforcement and selective repair were carried out where necessary. The original distribution of smaller rooms remains legible in the flooring. Color homogenization and the optimization of natural light further contribute to the clarity of the final space.

The new contributions consist of self-contained modules—“boxes”—that house services and storage. These feature a visible wooden substructure on the outside, like packaging, suggesting that what’s important lies within. Installations are strategically concentrated in the voids between the boxes and the existing shell, thus avoiding new chases in the original structure. The boxes are finished in a white veladura that chromatically unifies them with the surrounding space.