Page 85 - AIT0723_E-Paper

Entwurf • Design Gonzalo del Val + Gelabert, ES-Madrid
Bauherr • Client Privat
Standort • Location ES-Madrid
Nutzfläche • Floor space 144 m 2
Fotos • Photos José Hevia, ES-Barcelona
Mehr Infos auf Seite • More info on page 158

CUARTO BOCEL FLAT

IN MADRID

Cuarto Bocel – “quarter circle” is the name given to the
latest renovation project by the two Spanish architects
Gonzalo del Val and Toni Gelabert. A glance at the floor
plan quickly makes the connection clear: the circular
walls of the flat, which is steeped in history, served as
the conceptual starting point for the renovation. But
there is no trace of dusty historical substance ...

T he stately domicile has been built at the beginning of the 20th
century according to plans by the Madrid architect Gustavo Fernán-
dez Balbuena whose work has had a decisive influence on the deve-
lopment of the entire Spanish metropolis. Today, the 140-square-metre
apartment is listed as a part of the city’s cultural heritage. Against this
background, it was imperative to preserve the structure and spirit of
the venerable house without, however, neglecting the requirements that
have to be met due to today’s general standard of living. Fortunately,
Gonzalo del Val and Toni Gelabert succeeded in, seemingly without any
major effort but by sheer knowhow, in appropriately perpetuating this
history: A second level was added to the already existing building in
the form of four wooden elements in order to divide the space into
its different uses – sleeping, eating, living, working – and to respond
precisely to the needs of the new residents. The two architects refer to
Isometrie • Isometric Schema • Scheme these spatial buffer zones as preludes. The term, borrowed from music,
usually refers to a freely composed instrumental work, a kind of intro-
duction intended to prepare the listeners for what is to follow. Compa-
rable to a picture frame, the respective scenario is visually surrounded
and thereby noticeably enhanced. While, in some spots, this frequently
results in exciting vistas, it also creates welcome ample storage space.
In other places, entire rooms surprisingly open up! The circulation of the
residents inside the flat is subtly guided. In the working area, a semi-
circular, massive desk then abruptly forms the finale of the “composi-
tion”, as it were. Each of the inserted elements has its own individual
form – all four of them are characterized by a very playful approach to
the circle segment in the three dimensions. Their contrasting material
manages to clearly distinguish what is old from what is new. The floor
covering of herringbone parquet and the stucco elements on the walls
and on the ceilings are still easily identifiable as part of the historical
former inventory, precisely because of their homogeneous colouring in
dazzlingly pure white. The overall effect which has been produced: airy
Grundriss • Floor plan and elegant. “Ageing with dignity” par excellence, indeed!

AIT 7/8.2023 • 085