Carmélites
Renovation project with the adaptive reuse of a groundfloor formerly used as office space, converted into an apartment.
A patio is created in the center of the main room to bring light into the new bedroom and living space. The project follows a completely open plan articulated around the patio - exploring the space problem. The south facing facade is opened towards the existing garden and back building.
The project tries to explore the following four topics:
Structure as an architectural factor;
Space as an architectural problem;
Proportion as a means of architectural expression;
The expression value of materials.
It is articulated around a 100cm square module except for the existing five supporting steel beams. The materials are left exposed wherever possible. The main materials used are steel for the structure and windows; brick for the walls and retaining walls, belgian blue stone for the floor, oak for the kitchen block and doors, and solid walnut for the windows sills and main bedroom warbdrobe.
The composition is as follows; an office on the north side, street side, with an independent entrance on the common entrance hall. Between the office and the bedroom there is a large bathroom accessible from both sides. The bedroom opens on one side to the new patio and on the other side to the bathroom. The rest of the plan is an open plan with a single large living area that opens onto the patio on the north side and the garden on the south side.
