Bernabéu Apartment

Located in the Chamartín district of Madrid, this 38 m² apartment occupies the space of a former office, originally anonymous and lacking spatial qualities, with very limited natural light. The intervention transforms this starting point into a calm domestic interior, where architecture, materiality and light shape a serene atmosphere within a compact footprint.

 As a ground-floor unit, the apartment received very little daylight. The existing window, divided into multiple horizontal and vertical sections, restricted both light and visual openness. It was replaced with a single, full-height pivoting wooden window, designed without divisions to maximize natural light and establish material continuity with the interior.

The spatial organization responds directly to this condition. The working area is positioned next to the window, taking advantage of the available natural light, while the sleeping area is located closer to the entrance.

The brief called for a serene atmosphere, generous storage within a limited surface, and a carefully considered approach to lighting.

A raised platform integrates the bed and defines a more intimate area, complemented by a curtain system that allows the degree of enclosure to be adjusted depending on the moment. Beneath the platform, two large concealed drawers provide substantial storage, maximizing functionality within the compact footprint. This arrangement frees the area near the window for more active uses such as living, cooking and working, creating a more open and flexible environment.

The intervention minimizes enclosed rooms, leaving the bathroom as the only fully separated space. The rest of the apartment is conceived as a continuous sequence in which each element performs multiple functions without interrupting the spatial flow.

Beyond spatial organization, the project places particular emphasis on atmosphere. Natural materials such as clay, wood, stone, sisal and washi paper establish a direct connection with nature, reinforcing a calm and grounded domestic environment. The use of clay and lime finishes on walls and ceilings creates continuous, lightly textured surfaces that subtly interact with light throughout the day.

Two custom-built wardrobes, located at the entrance and in the sleeping area, resolve storage needs within the compact space. Their sliding fronts reinterpret traditional Japanese shōji panels through a lightweight oak structure and rice paper, crafted by hand specifically for the project. Integrated lighting within the wardrobes filters through the paper surfaces, turning them into softly glowing elements within the interior.

Lighting is conceived as a key tool in shaping the atmosphere of the space. Through a careful balance of natural and artificial light, the interior adapts to different conditions, shifting between more open and more intimate environments throughout the day.

In the bathroom, a ceiling panel recreates the effect of a skylight, incorporating a system that simulates circadian light cycles. This allows both intensity and color temperature to be adjusted, contributing to a more comfortable and immersive environment.

The result is a compact, flexible and continuous interior where architecture, light and materiality transform an originally anonymous office into a calm and adaptable home.