ARTISTS HOUSE | Laura Ortín Arquitectura

The remodeling was outlined from the absolute vacuum of the previous architectural elements. The distribution and original finishes were difficult and dark and did not match clients’ wishes in relation to dwelling. The only remaining traces were natural light spaces and wet areas (except for the kitchen). The rest was removed enabling organisational freedom. 

Family is the architectural idea. There are two key points in this project. On the one hand, achieving a democratic home, a day-to-day space for everyone, where each member of the family feels integrated and identified in his/her new home. On the other hand, an environment adapted to the level of children development is also provided. Both distribution and furniture are thought to be felt like an own, free and respectful space where inhabitants can freely develop themselves in a private space called home.

The difficulty about the remodeling relies on the formal boundaries of a L-shaped dwell which overlooks two inner courtyards and outputs the street to a lesser extend. The proposal creates a continous tour catching as much outdoor light as it is possible and where everything is common. Children bedroom is presented as a large, semi-open space being flexible with the posibility of splitting it in the future. The main bedroom and the living room are splitted by a pre-established furniture. There is no en-suite bathroom. The living room, the dining room and the kitchen are open and contiguous. Also, between them, there is a “cushion” space with the possibility of turning it into a small garden, reading room or improvised play area.

All the integrated furniture has been designed by the studio. A locker/shelf has been arranged in the hall according to specific clients’ needs. The separation between the living room and the main bedroom has been suggested without the need of a partition wall, only with a piece of furniture for several uses on both sides: TV hole, shelves and cabinets for the living room and dress-up area open to the bedroom. Consequently, it makes best use of the available space. A combination of adequate wood has been chosen and used repeatedly providing the same amount of attention and care in every single area because all of them are equally important.

The house is comfortable. A quiet, slow-paced and calm place.

Since increasing independance, natural psicology of children and their free physical development was a priority for us, both pieces of furniture designed by the studio and the ones we bought, make sure that the above mentioned requirement is fullfilled in order to ease children autonomy and freedom. Shelves and low beds, doors and reachable hangers, nice colours, natural materials, etc.

Another remarkable detail is that the children bedroom is “house-shaped”. It means that it is a house inside a house. The symbolism represents them and at the same time, they can relate to that space which is recreational-didactic and relaxing. It is a corner full of independence and peace but also, it can be open to the rest of the house if they wish to.

Ultimately, after having carried out the remodeling, we have succeeded to create a “Home” where democracy among family members and emotional design are the key points of this living experience.