Ayala House II, Duplex Renovation
- Architecture, interior design and construction: ÁBATON
In this renovation in Madrid, we sought to release the compartmentalization that compressed the original house on two floors. The upper floor is distributed in the form of a fan taking the staircase as a center, thus minimizing the distributor area. On the ground floor, the limits are reduced to the maximum, allowing practically the entire floor to be perceived from the entrance space. This extends into the living and dining room, interrupted only by a pillar that is reduced to a minimum, leaving it visible.
“Our goal was to release the essence of the original house, creating spaces that breathe and flow naturally.”
“It is essential that the service spaces are integrated without disrupting the overall aesthetic, creating a perception of order and harmony.”
Light is an essential feature of the existing house and is maintained in the remodeling of it, leaving virtually all spaces with natural light, even those not linked to the facade.
The kitchen is an extension of the entrance through a sliding door that disappears. The service spaces, toilet, laundry and storage, are relegated to the darkest area of the house, hiding them with a paneling at the entrance and getting the perception of closets.
“We always look for beauty in the harmony of material contrasts. In this case, we decided to give presence to the staircase with this material duality.”
The staircase as a distribution element
The staircase was designed in the form of a spiral to free up space at the entrance, where it was previously an invasive element. This staircase has two parts: a solid structure that connects to the ground and is recessed in the corner of the first floor, functioning as a container for installations and storage, and a much lighter final section, made of sheet metal.
