Marmolista | JAO Arquitectura

Create/Showcase an architectonic narrative is of interest during the design process of the project. The locations and projects contain stories, and we consider that is our duty to tell them. This is the story of “marmolista”.

In our first visit, we encountered spaces where it seemed as if time had abruptly stop in a residential building from the 1940´s located on la Carretera de la Sierra, (Granada). In addition to various structural issues and pathologies, we unearthed a narrative encapsulated within the space. It was the story of a marble craftsman who had his workshop on the ground floor and had crafted the upper-level residences. These were modest dwellings, with rooms of varying sizes, organized through dimly lit corridors that reflected the social organization and customs of that era. Each of these rooms was adorned with marbles and stones of different patterns, sizes, and types, resembling a catalog of materials. We quickly grasped the value of this layer as a part of history that we needed to preserve, celebrate, and establish a connection with.

Thus, the main theme of the Project is born, as a dialog between past and present.

Furthermore, the project embodies a social and environmental commitment. Through our intervention, we restore and update a building to reintegrate it into the city's housing stock (recycle-reuse). Moreover, this modernization is carried out focusing on sustainability and accessibility, considering current needs, and creating homes that align with them. This rehabilitation addresses both social and energy-related aspects.

In our intervention, we leverage the buildings construction logic as a base for the residence’s organization. Two small apartments are created on each floor, arranged as a large central space that opens both to the main street and the inner courtyard to facilitate cross-ventilation. This space also serves as a hallway connecting the rooms, reflecting more contemporary living arrangements.

On the top floor, replacing the roof allows to add height but also expand the available space. Facade openings extend to the floor, inviting more natural light while maintaining the existing rhythm of openings. This reinterpretation of the facade honors its historical context without distorting its connection to a bygone era.

Throughout the construction process, new layers of information emerge, enriching our project. Materials such as the previously mentioned marble flooring, wooden beams from the roof, arches in load-bearing brick walls, and the original staircase brackets are carefully integrated and highlighted.

We incorporate modern improvements, including enhanced insulation through an External Thermal Insulation System (ETICS), high-efficiency energy installations, air renewal systems, and upgraded window insulation. Additionally, we embrace vernacular architectural principles, such as cross-ventilation and the installation of traditional wooden roll-up shutters, blending past and present in a harmonious dialogue.

Our approach greatly respects the existing elements, valuing the historical layers without compromising contemporary sensibilities. We see our intervention as an additional layer of information that belongs to our time, coexisting, conversing, and intertwining with the rich history of the marble artisan."