Bronze Interior Space and Exhibition Design · 2024
House in Murcia Residential Interior Design
- A' Design Award 2024 Bronze Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Awarded April 15, 2024
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 14,775
- Verification code AAA04793BD · Verify this award
About House in Murcia Residential Interior Design
The client requested an interior design project for a single-family house located in the region of Murcia in Spain, highlighting the main use of stone materials to create bright, yet warm spaces. It designed an efficient and avant-garde house using travertine-effect porcelain tiles that offer a clear and luminous vision, and wood laminate ceilings that respond to the need to counteract the hardness of the ceramic walls. The aim was to present a horizontal, compact and material home.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This single-family house is located in the Region of Murcia, Spain, in a residential area of semi-detached, modern and eminently white houses. The aim was to present a horizontal, compact and material house. The ground floor opens up to the outside through an open-plan day area with no corridors and the first floor is used for the bedrooms.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Constructed Area: 225 m2
Plot area: 440 m2 - Tags
- Residential Design
- Production Technology
- We designed an efficient and avant-garde home using travertine-effect porcelain tiles that offer a clear and luminous vision and wood laminate ceilings that responds to the need to counteract the hardness of the ceramic walls.
The parcel, of compact size, is crafted for pleasure and effortless upkeep. Given the climate of the region, the lower level of the plot is exposed to the external environment to capitalize on the temperate winters and the plentiful sunny days provided by this location. The restrained consumption of water, a scarcity prevailing across the province, is mirrored in the sporadic utilization of vegetation, mirroring the ecological accountability deeply embedded throughout the entire area.
That is why the selection of the materials was very important in this project, only long-lasting and sustainable materials were used in the construction. - Design Challenge
- The plot, of small dimensions, is designed for enjoyment and easy maintenance. Due to the climate of the area, the ground floor is open to the outside to take advantage of the mild winters and the abundant sunny days that this area offers. On the upper floor, the bedrooms open onto the uncovered terrace that surrounds this level. he limited use of water, so lacking throughout the province, is reflected in the occasional se of vegetation, echoing the environmental responsibility that is very present the entire region.
- Project Duration
- Murcia (Spain)
Duartion: 2 years since the design to the construction
Finish year: 2022 - Operation Flow
- The volumes that create the floor slabs appear as large objects resting on the main prism of he complex. There are no railings, but rather these elements act as protection. The grouting of the porcelain tiles on the facade reinforces this whole idea. The formation of the entrance, the steps and the staircase itself follow the same approach. The steps are "levitating", again without a handrail. Just a succession of horizontal planes that follow one after the other until they reach the bedrooms.
- Research
- When the commission was received, the structure of the house was already in place and the volumetric conception was half-defined; however, the previous project did not fully convince its future owners. The design is based on respect for this initial idea and focuses on its materiality.
The programme is simple and compact. The ground floor opens to the outside via an open-plan day area, with no corridors and plenty of storage areas. It also incorporates a garage, a service area and a small guest room. The first floor is the master suite and a second multi-purpose bedroom. - Inspiration
- The project House in Murcia was inspired by natural materials such as wood, travertine and by mediterranean design. The house is built with the minimum possible materials to create a visual unifiormity. A succession of the travertine planes that are superimposed as if they were strata layers.
- Image Credits
- Photography: Diego Opazo
Colors of House in Murcia Residential Interior Design
Grand Interview about House in Murcia Residential Interior Design
Our client demanded a residence with light and durable exteriors. Porcelain was identified as the most suitable option, but we aimed to avoid a cold and synthetic appearance. The travertine effect and its peculiar installation, promoting a horizontal grouting pattern, were key decisions in differentiating the design.
Throughout the Mediterranean coast, and especially in the Region of Murcia, the consideration of water as a precious resource is ever-present. From the outset, the design envisioned a home with minimal vegetation, using species suited to moderate irrigation, such as palm trees in their various forms. The swimming pool is also of a moderate size and has been designed, with the aid of solar panels that heat the water, for year-round use, eliminating the need to empty it and face the costly refilling prior to the summer months. Maximizing natural light and projecting shadows to keep the house cool during the hot months were also essential considerations from the beginning, aimed at reducing energy consumption.
Our working methodology is based on a unique approach to design, which we call Warm Minimalism. It is a refined balance between simplicity and warmth. This philosophy blends the principles of minimalism in its forms, in the rigor of construction, and in the pursuit of essence; in harmony with warm tones and materials, and soft, inviting lines that seamlessly integrate, creating simple and comfortable spaces.
The staircase is one of the most conceptual elements of the house. Above it, we designed a tear of glass, a large skylight that divides the home into two. As you ascend to the first floor, it may feel as though you are 'ascending to heaven'.Any handrail or containment wall would have undermined the forcefulness of this element. So, when we presented this solution—so light yet so conceptual—to the clients, a young couple without children, they decided to take the risk and embrace the aesthetic.
The daytime area is an open space. The open-plan layout enhances the enjoyment of every square meter, as when you're in the kitchen, you're in a spacious area that also includes the dining and living rooms. The same applies when you're relaxing in the living room or dining with friends or family. On the other hand, we prioritized the most significant spaces to make them the most generous, such as the master suite.Regarding the exteriors, the goal was to create a very compact home, not only due to the constraints of the plot but also for functionality and ease of maintenance.
Murcia is one of the regions on Spain’s eastern coast that enjoys the highest number of sunny days, with an average of 300 days of sunshine per year. Winters are mild, while summers can be warm. Its climate perfectly aligns with the Mediterranean lifestyle.Spanish people live outdoors. In winter, it is common to have lunch outside on clear days, while in the warmer months, we take advantage of the mild summer nights to enjoy terraces and open-air spaces. It is impossible to conceive of a single-family home in Spain without fostering a seamless integration between indoor spaces and the outdoors.
We return to Warm Minimalism. Our pursuit of refined design, seeking clean geometries and pure volumes, was essential in redefining the architectural composition—eliminating railings and support pillars while striving to minimize the number of materials used.In contrast, the texture of travertine and the wooden slat detailing, both indoors and outdoors, provided warmth and a deep connection to nature.
We believe that both principles are not at odds. In fact, with only a few exceptions, we are firm advocates of the idea that "form follows function."In a home, storage is one of the most crucial aspects to address, as it remains a constant necessity in a materialistic and accessible world. At the same time, in our relentless aim of crewating clean, unobstructed spaces, storage areas become indispensable allies in hiding structural elements, utility ducts and unwanted juxtaposition.
The goal was to create a predominantly horizontal home—highly compact and rich in materiality. The design sought to establish an interplay of volumes, reading as a succession of overlapping planes, reminiscent of geological strata.The forms shaping the slabs appear as large masses resting upon the main prism of the structure. This concept extends to the entrance design, the access steps, and even the interior staircase, all following the same approach. As a result, the entire design adheres to a unified set of principles, reinforcing the project's overall coherence.
More and more designers are becoming aware of the importance of sustainability. Additionally, considering the rising cost of land, optimizing outdoor spaces is increasingly becoming a key objective for many.The objective is to seek only the necessary resources —nothing more, nothing less— with a mindset of austerity and balance.