Geometric Details and Repurposed Marble Revive the Midcentury Soul of This Bilbao Apartment
The architect duo preserved the apartment's original character while transforming it to meet modern needs.
1The Rebirth of a Historic Apartment
Located in Bilbao's Segundo Ensanche neighborhood, this apartment was built in the first half of the 20th century. Over the years, modern modifications had largely obscured its original character. A young family commissioned architects Irene Vitorica Donezar and Ane González Lara to restore the apartment and bring back its midcentury soul. The duo decided to preserve original elements like the woodwork, green Macael marble countertops, and artistic window frames.
2Inspiration: Luigi Caccia Dominioni
The architects drew inspiration from Italian architect Luigi Caccia Dominioni's 1960s Milan apartment at the start of the project. Dominioni's influence can be seen in the apartment's unexpected geometric details, particularly the hexagonal mirror in the entryway and the octagonal nightstands in the bedroom. The duo used these geometric elements to add a modern touch to the apartment.
3Sustainable Design with Repurposed Materials
Donezar and Lara adopted a sustainable design approach by repurposing the apartment's original materials. The old green Macael marble countertop from the kitchen was reused as a shelf in the entryway. Additionally, the original herringbone parquet discovered under the carpet was preserved to respect the apartment's historic fabric. These materials also reflect the apartment's original color palette.
4Functional and Aesthetic Balance
The architects maintained most of the apartment's original layout while developing solutions for modern needs. Like typical 1960s Spanish apartments, the kitchen had a separate entrance, and all rooms opened onto a long hallway. The new owners wanted to preserve the bedrooms' privacy while integrating the kitchen into the living area. The main bedroom and service entrance were reconfigured into a laundry room and bathroom.
5Vintage Decor and Art Pieces
The interior features vintage decor and art pieces from different eras. The dining room includes a 20th-century Japanese copper vase and 1980s Murano vases. A piece by Benka from Alzueta Gallery is displayed in the living room. These items add a layered aesthetic to the apartment and create a dialogue between different periods.
6Harmony of Color and Texture
The apartment's original color palette is highlighted by the green entryway and reddish oak door frames in the kitchen. Garnet Zellige tiles in the main bathroom reference the original brick. This harmony of color and texture reflects the apartment's historic fabric in a modern way. The architects used these elements to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
7Custom-Designed Furniture
Donezar and Lara created custom-designed furniture and hardware elements for the apartment, including a stained-oak dining table and handles for the sliding glass doors. The octagonal nightstands in the bedroom and round side tables were also specially designed by the duo. These pieces come together in harmony with the apartment's overall aesthetic.
8A Sensitive Renovation
This project demonstrates how a historic apartment can be transformed to meet modern needs. The architects preserved the original architecture while introducing functional and aesthetic solutions. The use of repurposed materials and vintage decor choices gave the apartment a unique character. The result is a sensitive renovation that is neither too stuffy nor too sterile.