Casa Ola | Patricia Bustos Studio

“Casa Ola” is a single-family home inspired by nature and the sea. Despite its location in a well-known urbanization in the north of Madrid, nothing presages what we will find inside this apartment full of curves and elements, transporting us to a beautiful and wild beach.

This project intends to reflect the cheerfulness and vitality of family life through natural materials, such as beach and sand mortar, marble, onyx, root wood or handmade ceramics.

The aim was to design an enveloping and sensual, but very open house, encouraging the communication and meeting of its users. Although of it’s essential and pure atmosphere, “Casa Ola” doesn’t loses sight of the fantasy intended. Its design has been highly influenced by the trace of the great masters of the curve: Sáenz de Oiza, Antii Lovag and Gaudi. Gaudi defined the architect as "the synthetic man, who sees things clearly in their ensemble, before they are done, that who places and ties the elements in their plastic relationship and within the proper distance, as well as the static quality and the polychrome sense".

In this sense, the conceptualization of space is indispensable, as it conditions a complete universe where architecture and furniture coexist in harmony. Worthy of its name, “Casa Ola’s” entrance simulates the tube of a wave, effect created with the transparencies and reflections of its polycarbonate walls and illuminated ceiling with fluorescent tubes and RGB led lighting. The living room’s access greets every visitor with imposing windows that overlook a field of tinted palm trees by iridescent slats that vary in colour according to the time of the day, evoking the sunrise or sunset. Every wall and flooring, as well as all the carpentry chosen, are covered with micro cement based on beach sand mortar. A central seashell-like cylinder that holds the toilet outlines the crest of a breaking wave. This time the material chosen (micro cement) is grated, with the intention of simulating the effect produced by water retiring from the shore of the sea. The entire kitchen and other architectural elements, such as columns and arches, are covered with handmade ceramics in different formats. The perfect placement of the coverings using whole pieces with no cuts in the quartering has been maybe the biggest challenge. It was essential to design and calculate every item for the impeccable coincidence of the wooden panels and furniture such as the headboard and bedside tables.

“Casa Ola’s” rhythm is sinuous and feminine, letting all energy flow naturally. This is enriched
by the contrast created with the use of raw materials, such as the travertine shelves or the onyx table (a very coarse untreated slab) in the living room. The girl’s bathroom plays with the same polycarbonate used in the entrance; this time covered in iridescent vinyl to recreate a multicolored aurora borealis. Overall, the space is divided by delicate veils, such as the pivoting lattice that divides the living room from the kitchen. Everything is connected but may be subtly divided simultaneously.

“Casa Ola” respects the organic shapes of nature with its rounded edges, soft breaks and its curved line trace encouraging communication and healthy energy flow. As a result, a home that invites trust, privacy and harmony with its surrounding environment is achieved.