Contemporary Apartment In A Spanish Building Of The 50’s

Even though it’s true that a building’s age and history gives it character, this doesn’t mean that it has to be preserved intact. Sometimes a makeover or update can also be a detail that adds to the building’s charm. Located in the old town of Coruña in Galicia, Spain, this apartment building dates back to the 50’s. It might be old but it houses a beautiful, contemporary apartment which was designed by Díaz y Díaz Arquitectos.

Old town apatment diaz14

The building has 8 floors and this particular apartment occupies 120 meters of its surface. It contains a lounge area that also serves as a dining room, an office, a kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom. It has a rectangular shape and this meant that introducing natural light into all the room was going to be a challenge for the architects that remodeled this place. An unconventional solution was found.

Old town apatment diaz14
Old town apatment diaz14
Old town apatment diaz14
Old town apatment diaz14
Old town apatment diaz14
Old town apatment diaz14

A wooden box was designed to house the study, the kitchen and the bedroom. Other major changes were made as well. The partition walls had to be demolished and the kitchen was connected to the lounge area, thus transforming the former kitchen into a bedroom. The doors were also removed along with the walls. The glass features were treated with acid and this allowed light to enter the apartment.

Old town apatment diaz14
Old town apatment diaz14
Old town apatment diaz14
Old town apatment diaz14
Old town apatment diaz14
Old town apatment diaz14
Old town apatment diaz14

The wooden box was not the only unusual addition. A second white cube was created and this one contains the bathrooms, the closets and the entrance. Even though the style chosen is contemporary, some of the original features were preserved. They include the flooring, the oak furniture, the stucco ceilings and the moldings. Combining the antique and modern elements was not easy. Nevertheless, the result was a harmonious new design that brings together the old and the new. The original elements that were preserved contrast with the new ones but they don’t clash. Instead, they complement each other beautifully.