RETR OFIT IN THE SPANISH COUNTRYSIDE
During 2020, collaborated with studio Andrea Muñoz Diseño in the integral reform of a XIX Century small country house in the region of León in Spain. The integral renovation was based on a façade retention scheme, emptying out the internal structure of the home while maintaining the external skeleton for its historic appearance.
The retrofit included the removal of a concrete coating from the façade to show the original stone and mortar walls, the moving of the main entrance door from one side to the centre of the façade -it’s original location-, the complete renewal of plumbing, heating and electrical systems, and enlarging the original windows to make a better use of natural light.
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Ground Floor Plan
Due to the façade retention program and demolition of the internal structure, the entire distribution was changed. Originally, the house had one bathroom, a kitchen and a small living space in the lower floor, and 4 bedrooms and one more bathroom upstairs. After the intervention, we left only two bedrooms with in-suite bathrooms in the lower floor and an integrated kitchen, dining and living space with a bathroom in the upper floor, with a high, open ceiling that shows the old wooden beams and trusses. This unconventional arrangement was chosen in order to take advantage of the more available light and better views from the upper floor.
The interior spaces were designed to combine the original features of the home that were maintained through the retrofit, such as the roof beams and trussess or the original stone of the walls which was recovered after removing the concrete coating. The additions to the interior were kept quite minimal as to not hinder the appearance of the original features, combinging warm neutral colors with local materials such as corten steel, which can be found throughout the house, from the window and door frames to the chimney cladding or gutters.
Photography by Vivir en el Campo Magazine
My collaboration in the project included collaborating in the design and general arrangements of the home, understanding the planning of electrical and plumbing systems, the drafting of budget reports and the involvement in the construction process. Through this experience I started my learning journey in software, using autocad and rendering software like vray. However, this project really set a precedent for my future designs which can be seen through my work in my bachelors program, with retrofits being one of my main design drivers.
Interior Renders
Installation of wall buildup, insulation and membranes
New roofing membrane
Fitting of corten window frames
Fitting of corten window frames
6th Site visit monitoring progress
Replacement of the roof and conservation of roof beams