Home in El Cabañal

This time, we sneak in a home in El Cabañal, on the top floor of a building from the late seventies which is surrounded by pitched roofs and courtyards.

Almost like an intruder, it is erected oblivious to the traditional construction methods of the district. There we find metal beams and pillars supporting slabs made of concrete joists and ceramic vaults. A classic from that era.

In this little corner of the city, a young couple wish to bring light and joy into this changing space. With this purpose in mind, we embark on a project with an almost square layout. The windows are mainly oriented towards the south and the west, but also facing east and the sea. This will allow us to enjoy a fantastic cross-ventilation.

The project includes two bedrooms, a study, two bathrooms, and, of course, a living-dining room area and a kitchen. We decided to give the daytime areas of the house (the study, the living-dining room, and the kitchen) a southern and western aspect. Conversely, the main bedroom is oriented towards the east, where the day breaks in the morning. This way, we obtain, on one hand, a fantastic and continuous natural light throughout the day in the daytime spaces. And, on the other hand, the light from the early hours of the day will stroke the foot of the bed in the main bedroom. A pleasant awakening.

Moving forward on the project, the new ways of living led us to create new functionalities. In this case, bike storage was part of the program. That’s why the entrance hall is expanded. And to prevent it from gradually turning into a dirty space, we decided to line it with a ceramic material, easier to clean.

The homeowners wanted to create a flexible connection between the kitchen and the dining area. This connection brings to life through a translucent three-panel sliding door. A decision which creates a higher or a lower interaction between these spaces depending on the occasion.

A key aspect of the project during the construction process was to ensure a good thermal insulation. Since it is the top floor, not only the walls but also the ceiling will be significant energy exchangers. Therefore, we needed to focus on ensuring that the roof, walls, and windows had a permanent insulation, and on guaranteeing the best energy efficiency.

To highlight the structure that supports the house, the metal beams and pillars are left exposed. We wanted to ensure that they contribute to shaping the spaces and the resulting aesthetics.

Colours also play a significant role in functionality and space distribution. Paints and ceramic tiles define the environments, giving them uniqueness and contributing to the dynamism of the house.

The passage of time is unforgiving. And El Cabañal is not an exception. Over the years, its homes have gradually turned into modern spaces adapted to new ways of living.