Versión Español: https://abaton.es/es/proyectos/reforma-integral-en-santiago-bernabeu/
ABATON's primary goal when tackling the project was to open up the compartmentalized spaces to allow natural light into every corner of the home. What is now the living-dining area used to be three separate rooms.
The configuration of the large window was changed, using larger glass panes and finer carpentry. It was not only about allowing more light in but also about bringing the street trees into the interior more prominently. The goal was also for the light to cross from one side of the house to the other, from the patio to the outside. To achieve this, an open space was left, which is occupied by the kitchen, and it can be closed off with a large sliding door that blocks noise and smells. The complex geometry of the house was regularized through storage spaces, and many shelves were added at the clients' request. For example, the entryway shelving allows light in but simultaneously hides it from the living room.
Thus, the house conveys an image of modernity and spaciousness, accentuated by elements such as the exposed concrete pillars from the era, oak floors that add warmth to the ensemble, or the bookshelves that are very light and have straight angles, leaving the spotlight on books and decor, interspersed among wooden drawers that help break up the space and add dynamism. Regarding the private spaces, a room for the son with a shared bathroom for guests was designed, as well as a service room with a laundry area, both linked to the backyard.
The master bedroom, on the other side of the house, was conceived as an independent space, with an adjoining anteroom that serves as a reading nook, gym, and dressing area, taking advantage of the window's corner turn. Versatility was also sought in the master bedroom, envisioning a small office/relaxation area, and the bathroom and shower were kept visually open to flood every space with light. Because in a house that is all about brightness, nothing can be hidden.
Photography: Belén Imaz.