In a slender alley of Mallorca, Spain, a easy renovation metamorphosed into one thing much more formidable – a masterclass in manipulating gentle and area that remembers the luminous spatial experiments of Josep Antoni Coderch in his Spanish properties. Accomplished by Isla Architects, Casa Mila’s defining second got here with the acquisition of an adjoining strip of land, affectionately dubbed the “llonganissa” (Spanish for sausage), which catalyzed an entire reimagining of how a house may work together with its environment via a number of dimensions of illumination.
At its core, the undertaking is an exploration of threshold areas, exemplified by the various array of window remedies – each a consideration on the connection between inside and exterior. These openings – from sliding panels to round skylights – create a dynamic interaction of sunshine all through the day, remodeling in any other case static areas into ever-changing environments. The pivot home windows, specifically, echo Spain’s modernist custom, the place technical performance and spatial design seamlessly combine.
The desk that anchors the kitchen area turns into greater than mere furnishings, making a social nexus that bridges the primary home with the courtyard whereas embodying the undertaking’s philosophy of fluid boundaries. As well as, the fabric palette demonstrates a sublime restraint whereas chatting with modern sensibilities. Lime mortar, verdant carpentry, and customized flooring draw inspiration from Palladian traditions. The deliberate imperfection of the tile placement honors Japanese wabi-sabi aesthetics, which finds magnificence in managed imperfection and irregularity.
Most hanging is the visitor home’s progressive kitchen-chiringuito hybrid, the place a liftable window transforms the area into an open-air gathering spot. This element remembers the versatile areas of Mediterranean vernacular structure whereas updating the idea for contemporary dwelling. The double-height bed room above creates a vertical respiratory area inside the slender confines, demonstrating a considerate sectional design that expands each perceived area and bodily limitations.
Images by Luis Díaz Díaz.