Within a Limited Budget, This Madrid Renovation Embraced Concrete Floors and Columns

"All of the original structural concrete columns were left exposed, as were the cement floors and some areas of terrazzo. The effect is that there is a varied palette of stone and similar elements. "A nice surprise was finding numerals that had been painted on the structural columns and which date from the construction of the building," says Jáuregui. The studio decided to leave them as a nod to the structure's history."

"In the kitchen by Cubro, walnut cabinet fronts introduce a warm note. "We chose a Cubro kitchen because they're a good value, and have a large variety of colors and different materials to choose from," says Jáuregui. Thus, the kitchen "became one of the most interesting elements of the project." The limited budget also challenged the architects' creativity and problem solving. In the kitchen, for example, the immoveable wall of an alcove pantry ended up becoming a design opportunity. "We decided to cover it with mirrors," the studio's architects say, "which reflect the light and make the living area feel larger." The team also custom designed some of the furniture for the home. "Using the same terrazzo pieces that we used for a bench and some other elements, together with solid walnut, we designed a table that reflects our focus on combining beautiful materials with a simple and timeless aesthetic," Jáuregui says."

All original structural concrete columns, cement floors, and terrazzo areas were left exposed to create a varied palette of stone and related textures. Numerals painted on structural columns from original construction were preserved as a nod to the building's history. Walnut cabinet fronts by Cubro introduce warmth in the kitchen, chosen for value and a wide material/color range. A limited budget spurred inventive solutions, including mirrored panels on an immovable pantry wall to reflect light and enlarge the living area. The team custom-designed furniture combining terrazzo pieces and solid walnut to produce simple, timeless pieces that emphasize material beauty.

Read at Architectural Digest