Page 85 - AIT0325_E-Paper

Entwurf • Design Solar, ES-Madrid
Bauherr • Client Eduard Saura, ES-Madrid
Standort • Location Calle de Castelar 20, ES-Madrid
Nutzfläche • Floor space 250 m 2
Fotos • Photos Adriá Goula
Mehr Infos auf Seite • More info on page 118

CASTELAR HOUSE

IN MADRID

Rarely is extension work on existing buildings as contra-
dictory and yet harmonious as in the Casa Castelar. Cont-
emporary influences characterize the house from the Wil-
helminian period and create unexpected contrasts. With
much sophistication and clever use of space, the design
by Solar opens up new perspectives for dealing with his-
torical buildings – without sacrificing modern needs.

B uilt in the 19th century, the Madrid Moderno development com-
prised a total of 96 residential buildings. Designed according to the
principles of the garden-city movement, it was conceived as a solution
to the rural exodus during the industrial revolution and was intended to
combine the advantages of city- and country life. Due to the real-estate
boom in the 1970s, only about 14 buildings remain today. The poor con-
dition of the Casa Castelar made gutting the building inevitable. Since
Ana Herreros and Pablo Canga of Solar saw the value of preserving not
only the Wilhelminian-style façade with a bay window, they also parti-
Grundrisse: Erdgeschoss bis 2. Obergeschoss • Floor plans: Basement floor to level +2 ally restored the original room structure. The L-shaped floor plan with
an inner courtyard from 1890 was revealed by removing later additions.
While the street-side façade was restored according to the historical
model, the rear façade presents itself in a contemporary way with a per-
forated aluminium facing shell and recessed shutters that provide pro-
tection from the summer sun. The link between the interior and exterior
is created with aluminium, which is used repeatedly, for example, on
the trapezoidal sheet metal ceiling, the surface-mounted cable ducts
and the built-in furniture. The theme of perforation is also continued
inside, but on the wooden surfaces of the built-in units, which optimize
the use of space. Cut-outs in the shelving units and new rectangular
openings produce lines of sight between the living room, hallway and
staircase – similar to the enfilade-like openings on the ground floor:
between the living room, dining room and hallway. The first floor, with
a bedroom, bathroom and study, is reserved for private use, while the
second floor has a one-room flat and the roof terrace, providing ample
space for guests. The duality of past and present is brought to life here:
instead of just restoring the building or constructing a completely new
one, Herreros and Canga have managed to preserve historically relevant
details and bring them into harmony with modern elements. Furthermo-
re, their sustainable approach allows the home’s energy consumption
to be reduced by more than 70 percent, thus reinforcing the idea that
Schnitt • Section historical buildings can be transformed without losing their essence.

AIT 3.2025 • 085