The Jerónimos neighbourhood, with its rich history and the presence of landmarks such as the Retiro Park and the Jerónimos Church, suggests a strong connection to Madrid's history and culture. In this context, the architectural project ‘Casa AB10’, which seeks to be a ‘Madrid house’ in its layout, is aligned with an approach that respects and reflects the legacy of the surroundings while adopting a modern design.
The main materials used have been oak wood for carpentry and flooring, only the areas affected by the demolition have been changed, leaving the traces of the partition walls visible, using the same existing material, and for the bathroom areas, porcelain and natural stone have been used.
On the other hand, we have sought to leave the architecture of the corridor visible, using a tactic of cleaning the wall, leaving the plaster and the remains of the original paint of the house, achieving a random finish, leaving the architecture bare.
The decision not to entirely remove the traditional partitioning is significant; it indicates a respect for the structure and spatial layout that are typical of houses in the region. Maintaining select structural components is often vital for retaining the unique 'spirit' of a home, a characteristic shaped by an interplay of cultural, historical, and practical considerations.
The balance between modernity and tradition is a key challenge in the renovation of buildings in historic contexts.
