House in Penumbra | Teleno Studio

House in Penumbra is the renovation of a 56 m² apartment located in a 19th-century building in the center of Madrid.

The name refers to a home shaped by soft, filtered light, where shadow becomes a defining spatial and atmospheric element.

The original condition, defined by a fragmented layout and a deteriorated timber structure, required a comprehensive intervention, including the partial reconstruction of the floor structure and load-bearing walls.

The project is organized around a single architectural gesture: a compact oak volume that contains the bedroom and bathroom. This central element defines the spatial logic of the apartment, allowing the rest of the program — kitchen, dining, living, and storage — to unfold as a continuous space around it.

The nearly rectangular plan features two balconies facing the street and a small window opening onto the inner courtyard. The three-meter-high ceilings are maximized to enhance spatial proportions and increase storage capacity.

The domestic atmosphere is conceived as open, social, and relaxed. The kitchen, designed as a floor-to-ceiling dark wood volume with a central Emperador marble opening, becomes an integral part of the living space — encouraging interaction, conversation, and shared rituals around cooking and dining. A stone element behind the sofa integrates storage and functions as an informal bar.

Natural light enters filtered through linen curtains, softening the intensity of Madrid’s exterior brightness. Additional layers of olive-toned textiles deepen this effect, creating a controlled and immersive penumbra.

Materials respond through satin finishes and muted reflections. Floor-to-ceiling mirrors, placed perpendicular to the incoming light, expand spatial perception and amplify subtle gradients of light and shadow. Within this environment, lacquered surfaces, glazed ceramics, and dark furnishings acquire depth and presence.

The chromatic palette is composed of layered tones that emerge from darkness rather than reflect light. Walls, ceilings, and textiles share a cohesive tonal range, reinforcing a quiet and immersive atmosphere.

Selected objects, including lacquered wooden pieces and ceramics sourced from Kyoto and Osaka, introduce a subtle cultural narrative while maintaining material coherence.

Inside the oak volume, the bedroom and en-suite bathroom form a more intimate domain, separated by a large sliding door. Crossing this threshold intensifies the transition: light becomes indirect and more introspective.

The bathroom is conceived as the most private space. A red travertine marble sink is embedded within a mirrored surface, emphasizing reflection and depth. Metallic microcement and polished steel elements interact with steam and light, enriching the sensory qualities of the space.

Ultimately, the project explores how light, material, and spatial organization can construct an atmosphere where shadow becomes an active architectural element.