A Up to date Refuge in Madrid’s Western Mountains
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Nestled within the western mountains of Madrid, near the serene San Juan reservoir, CASAMONTESA by Lucas y Hernández-Gil Arquitectos is a surprising transformation of a Seventies bungalow. Initially a part of a resort complicated, the home bore a novel hybrid character—a mix of highland appeal and modernity, with a contact of kitsch. Over time, this eccentric aesthetic has stood the check of time, and the architects sought to protect its singular identification whereas reimagining it as a purposeful retreat for a younger city couple.
The Imaginative and prescient: A Compact Refuge in Nature
The homeowners, a design-savvy couple residing in Madrid’s bustling middle, dreamed of a weekend escape that mixed city sophistication with the tranquility of nature. CASAMONTESA supplied an idyllic setting—nestled in a lush backyard, surrounded by a privileged pure atmosphere, but conveniently near the town. Their imaginative and prescient referred to as for a compact, purposeful house that harmonized with its environment, providing a seamless connection between indoors and open air.
Lucas y Hernández-Gil Arquitectos noticed on this venture a possibility to merge structure, inside design, and furnishings right into a cohesive narrative. Their method was holistic, addressing each side of the home to create a contemporary but timeless sanctuary.
Design Technique: Framing Nature, Defining Areas
The design technique centered on two key parts: the openings of the facade and the inside’s spatial articulation.
Reimagining the Facade
The unique bungalow featured home windows that have been purposeful however failed to completely embrace the breathtaking environment. The architects remodeled these openings into deep, box-like buildings that body the panorama as residing artworks. These thresholds blur the boundaries between inside and exterior, inviting pure mild and panoramic views into the house. The brand new design not solely enhances the spatial relationship but in addition imbues the facade with a sculptural high quality.
A Multi-functional Core: The Kitchen Island
On the coronary heart of CASAMONTESA lies a multifunctional kitchen island—a big piece of furnishings that serves as a hub for cooking, eating, and dealing. This central component is greater than a utilitarian characteristic; it’s an announcement piece that anchors the house’s inside design. Its beneficiant proportions and considerate detailing create a communal house the place the homeowners can prepare dinner meals, share conversations, and even work remotely, all whereas staying linked to the encircling panorama.
Materials Palette: A Dialogue of Contrasts
The selection of supplies performs a pivotal position in defining the aesthetic and sensory expertise of CASAMONTESA. The architects opted for a palette that balances distinction and concord, elevating the house’s design whereas paying homage to its authentic character.
Handmade Burgundy Tiles
The deep window containers and the kitchen island are clad in small, handmade burgundy tiles, their vibrant sheen including a contact of heat and craftsmanship. These tiles create a visible connection between the house’s two defining options—the openings and the central island—lending a way of continuity and coherence.
Campaspero Stone Flooring
Underfoot, Campaspero stone flooring present a sturdy and textural basis. The stone’s pure tones and refined patterns evoke a connection to the outside, enhancing the house’s earthy, grounded really feel.
Waxed Tinted Plaster Partitions
The partitions, completed in waxed tinted plaster, convey a mushy, tactile high quality to the interiors. Their matte floor contrasts superbly with the shiny tiles, making a dialogue between muted and vibrant, understated and daring.
Preserving Identification, Embracing Modernity
One of the crucial hanging points of CASAMONTESA is the architects’ dedication to preserving the unique bungalow’s identification. The house’s kitsch undertones—parts that may have been discarded in a standard renovation—are as an alternative celebrated as a part of its appeal. This respect for the previous, mixed with a contemporary sensibility, leads to a design that feels each rooted and forward-thinking.
By enhancing the house’s performance with out erasing its character, Lucas y Hernández-Gil have achieved a fragile stability. CASAMONTESA is neither a relic of the previous nor a sterile fashionable construction; it’s a residing, respiratory house that resonates with historical past and modern life.
The Consequence: A Harmonious Escape
CASAMONTESA is greater than only a home; it’s an expertise. Each element, from the framing of the home windows to the tactile interaction of supplies, invitations you to decelerate and savor the second. For its homeowners, it affords a serene refuge—a spot the place they will reconnect with nature, get pleasure from considerate design, and escape the calls for of city life.
Connection to the Atmosphere
The considerate integration of the house with its pure environment is maybe its most compelling characteristic. By framing the views and creating seamless transitions between in and out, the design fosters a way of immersion within the panorama. Whether or not you’re having fun with a cup of espresso on the kitchen island or gazing out of the deep-set home windows, the fantastic thing about the San Juan reservoir and the encircling mountains feels ever-present.
A Testomony to Craftsmanship
From the handmade tiles to the meticulously completed plaster partitions, CASAMONTESA celebrates craftsmanship. These particulars, whereas refined, contribute to the house’s character and soul, making it an area that feels private and enduring.
Conclusion: A New Chapter for a Timeless House
Lucas y Hernández-Gil Arquitectos have remodeled CASAMONTESA into a up to date refuge that respects its previous whereas embracing the longer term. The home stands as a testomony to the ability of considerate design—an area the place kind meets operate, custom meets innovation, and structure meets artwork.
For the younger city couple who name it dwelling, CASAMONTESA is a dream realized: a compact, purposeful sanctuary that gives an escape from the town with out sacrificing model or consolation. For the remainder of us, it’s a reminder of the sweetness that may emerge when design responds not simply to a constructing, however to the lives and landscapes it serves.
