Ceramic House by Héctor Ruiz-Velázquez
Spanish architect Héctor Ruiz-Velázquez, has transformed the attic space of an early 20th century building in Madrid, into a new living space with a variety of levels.
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Ceramic House by Héctor Ruiz-Velázquez
In the attic of an emblematic building of classical early 20th century Madrid, this new concept of living space is placed: UNLIMITED SPACE (Ceramic House) is presented by architect Héctor Ruiz-Velázquez and built out of total freedom of layers. As if the design would be a three-dimensional object, every one of the rooms or points of the home can be located by specifying the axis of coordinates.
The result is the power to move around in few square meters at different heights, going up and down, offering a new experience of roominess in the context of a home: to explore the space. The transition between the rooms is continuous and lets the movement flow freely across the numerous levels.
The spatial flexibility that transforms this home is an innovative housing concept which adapts itself to the actual necessities and to the new usages. Where roominess, brightness and time flow in a multifunctional space without corners or precedence. It is also about expanding the parameters of interior design as well as the conventional trends of arrangement.
This project responds to the assignment by ASCER (Asociación Española de Fabricantes de Azulejos y Pavimentos Cerámicos – Spanish Association of Tile and Ceramic Flooring Manufacturers) for the creation of a new living concept, where the ceramic receives special treatment which turns it into the indisputable protagonist of the space. The ceramic is a material which offers, due to its versatility of application, multiple possibilities in its planimetry. According to the architect’s objective the ceramic thus transforms itself into an excellent dynamic entity able to offer the luxuriousness of working in three dimensions. “Change and continuation”, “tradition and innovation” simply unfold with a new angle on the use of ceramic material.
Visit the website of Héctor Ruiz-Velázquez – here.
Photography by Pedro Martínez – www.fotoarquitectura.es
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estela on 01 Jul 2010 at 3:08 am #
awesome, i like it very much!
BjZ on 01 Jul 2010 at 5:10 am #
OMG!!!!!!!!!! What is it with the white interiors?!!! Is this like a psych ward or something?!!!!!! Do people realize we live in a beautiful multi-colored world. I mean it doesn’t have to look like the set of some children’s tv show but geeze i’m sure you can give us a little bit more color!!!
Alexandra on 01 Jul 2010 at 8:11 am #
Absolutely beautiful! I love all the linear elements, both in the geometry of the house and in the finishes, it keeps the eye moving. Brilliant.
Kristof Lenz on 01 Jul 2010 at 9:23 am #
BjZ, some people like different things than you.
Zero34 on 01 Jul 2010 at 10:13 am #
the style, the design, the ideas.. all BRILLIANT!
the lack of color, the insane amount of repitition in the pictures of the project, the white on white on white with a hint of white… PAINFUL!
Helena on 01 Jul 2010 at 11:05 am #
like that! white is sexy!
juliën on 01 Jul 2010 at 1:12 pm #
@BjZ
Some people want a house to rest and relax, I think white suits that.
But I get it. I would love some minor color details.
Anyway, It looks really clean and bright, i like it ALOT.
Ron Itoki on 01 Jul 2010 at 3:22 pm #
White is a good functional choice when you have an interior that doesn’t have a lot of natural light.
k griffin on 01 Jul 2010 at 3:29 pm #
i think this space is very intriguing, a creative way to structure space. i’d like to have seen a floorplan… to have a better sense for circulation, programming, etc.
but looks very clever. i’d perhaps go a different way with the way the sleeping space is cantilevered (structurally). it [sleeping space] also appears to be a bit hard use (no storage, low headroom, open to below on the sides, circulation concerns…)
personally, i like the palette (white). don’t love the “picket fence” geometry that seems dominant, but that’s stylistic and i can’t really criticize it…
fundamentally speaking, an inspired space to me…
AP on 01 Jul 2010 at 7:48 pm #
I really do like the design of the house – especially the dynamic quality of the section of the space. It seems to be ever changing – although it is sometimes hard to tell exactly to what level and degree with everything being the same color. That said, I think the introduction of some accent color, or even colored light (besides the ever-so typical white (yellow) from every bulb), would make this space completely over the top.
I wish I could see drawings of this space to get a better grasp of the circulation and the immense amount of care taken with the constantly changing levels.
louise on 02 Jul 2010 at 12:34 am #
this space has left me thoroughly confused.
the study space (img 17) isnt it a tad small and one might hit his/her head on the ceiling?
why is there a tap above the kitchen tap (img 23/36) and what is that space for?
where is the shower? hidden behind in the space behind the toilet bowl?
lack of storage space, beams jutting out everywhere, thought i would like it but on closer inspection, i don’t :c
hector on 02 Jul 2010 at 4:59 am #
photos: © Pedro Martinez (www.fotoarquitectura.es)
TW on 02 Jul 2010 at 4:06 pm #
I love this interior!
Normally I am critical of all white. Despite what people imagine, it is the least restful colour for an interior.
But here is an example of how to do white well – lots of texture, different planes and shapes, warm furniture and great artwork.
And the detailing is fantastic – all of those suspended structures, framed views and connection between materials and surfaces work extremely well.
This is what interior design is all about.
Most impressive. Well done.
Hoechstetter Interiors on 04 Jul 2010 at 1:18 am #
This is brilliant.
I do agree that there appear to be some logistical issues, and elements that would never pass code here in the US such as that open bed platform, but it’s a tour de force in terms of clever use of a difficult space and retaining the sense of openness, while providing spaces for all of the functions of daily living. The way the various planes fold back upon themselves and round corners to create multifunctional elements is sheer genius. There is a sense of dynamism as well as a restful feeling.
I agree that the detailing is incredible, providing an almost infinite series of vistas that add interest to every angle in the space.
As to storage, the reality is that when you live in a place like this, you simply have to pare down. A lot. This is not a residence a clutterbug should even try to live in.
However, there are at least two doorways off the entrance hall run that we are not shown much outside of, and my guess is that that is where the bulk of the storage is. There’s still a fair amount neatly integrated into the architecture with the bookshelves, the shelves where the pottery is, etc. Three different cabinets are shown in different photos of the living area, so it would seem they hadn’t fully sorted that question out before the photo shoot, but they do indicate space for a fair amount of cabinetry in several different configurations.
The “tap above the kitchen tap” is a bathroom sink, perpendicular to the tub, on kind of a landing on the way to the loft bedroom. It is directly above the toilet room below, clustering all of the plumbing for the whole space in a compact, stacked area, which is the most economical and logical way of doing things. The little enclosed garden area you see behind the stairs in the entry hall is the same space that’s behind the toilet.
Kennis L. on 19 Jul 2010 at 8:10 am #
amazing house! looks simple but designer and architect make this with great details
jayne on 05 Aug 2010 at 7:32 pm #
i love this space. not everyone (or every location) can pull off an all white interior, but this one does. i do have one thing that is bugging me. when did it become chic to include the portrait of a (dead) communist leader as art? it’s the giant zit on the face of this lovely space. it surprises me that the white on white on white interior is more offensive to some and yet the picture goes unmentioned. am i missing something here?
bb on 08 Aug 2010 at 10:21 am #
the interior – stunning
but
…am I really the only one appalled by the grand portrait of a mass murderer ???
KARNO on 06 Oct 2010 at 11:55 pm #
like the very useful interior and all the movement of the lines. hate the picture of that chinese fella.