Interview about House in Murcia Residential Interior Design, winner of the A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award 2024
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.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsOur 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.
Dive into a world of design excellence with our curated highlights. Each feature showcases outstanding creativity, innovation, and impact from the design world. Discover inspiration and learn more about these incredible achievements.
