A Functional, Light-filled Apartment in a Historic Madrid Corrala
An important part of this project was to create spaces that would flow effortlessly into one another – both in function and in design”, StudioMadera co-founder Eileen Ng explained of the home she recently redesigned with her counterpart Jorge Núñez. Located in a historic 1900s corrala-style building in a vibrant Madrid neighbourhood, the 38-square-meter (409-square-foot) apartment is home to Eva, a translator who works from home, and her cat, Morgan. Ng and Núñez managed to transform the space from a dated unit into a light-filled, multifunctional living space that balances practicality and personal style.
Maximizing Light and Flow in a Small Space
Eva’s primary request was to create a home that balanced her need for a spacious work environment with her love for music, incorporating space for her guitar and keyboard. She also wanted to ensure that Morgan’s needs were considered (particularly with respect to his litter tray). From the designer’s perspective, the apartment also lacked storage and a good flow of natural light – despite it having windows on all sides.
The design team’s first order of business was thus to remove several dividing walls to create an open-plan space that would feel airy and expansive, and would allow for the natural light, which was otherwise hampered by the existing layout, to reach throughout. As Núñez explained, the goal was to “keep the spaces as open as possible while maintaining privacy in key areas.” To this end the duo drew inspiration from Japanese Shoji room dividers to introduce partitions that can be opened up or closed off depending on the desired level of privacy.
Smart Storage and Multifunctional Spaces
The feelings that arise from the first step within the home are indeed those of effortlessness and flow. In their reconfiguration, the designers added a small entrance area with built-in storage, a shelf for keys, and even a panel to hide the building’s intercom system. To one direction, you’re then led into the home office and bedroom, while to the other, the living area and kitchen. Though the more private and more public spaces are divided by a wall, there’s still a sense of connection between them via a floor-to-ceiling glass-panel partition in the back corner allowing light to pass through while serving as an acoustic barrier.
The kitchen is a key element of the apartment’s design, with a U-shaped layout that includes a generous peninsula that offers a food prep, dining, and work surface. Shelves under the peninsula provide extra storage for books and small items. To avoid blocking the natural light from the window, the kitchen’s upper cabinets are designed at an angle, making the space feel less bulky while increasing storage capacity. The light grey and veneered oak cabinetry creates a sleek, modern aesthetic, complemented by a greenish-blue tile splashback for a pop of colour. Above the peninsula, Muuto’s Ambit pendant lamps provide functional lighting for cooking and socialising.
The bedroom, which can be sealed from the living room by a sliding wood door, is designed as a warm and peaceful space. A custom-made headboard frames the bed, while reading lamps and ambient lighting enhance the cozy atmosphere. The wardrobe, positioned between the bedroom and the office, is intentionally not full height, allowing light to filter through and creating a perch for Morgan. The wardrobe’s cork-lined side in the office also functions as a pinboard, adding to the apartment’s practicality.
Achieving Balance in a Small Urban Space
StudioMadera’s design for Eva’s apartment is a testament to the potential of small-space living. Their approach demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform compact urban spaces into functional, vibrant living areas that foster a sense of community and creativity, all while addressing the needs of the individual living within. “There are so many interesting small spaces in urban areas that are unused or used for storage and other purposes”, they noted. “Repurposing these for living brings people, creating life and communities which is important for urban areas”.
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