Serrano Penthouse by Hector Ruiz Velázquez
Spanish architect Hector Ruiz Velázquez has designed the Serrano Penthouse in Madrid, Spain.

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Description from Hector Ruiz Velázquez:
In this project we solved the usual separations of spaces inside an apartment (flat and orthogonal walls) introduction troncocónicos of elements that go from the floor to ceiling. These elements impose their strong volumetry, acquiring the range of massive objects, individualized, therefore with their own personality. By perceiving these objects as interposed pieces we obtain a sensation of continuity, as the spectator moves through the house and never sees the end of each volume and really noticing the totality of the house. This gives him the sensation that the hose is much bigger than it really is. These curved volumes have the ability to lead the light; by provoking rebounds like a fluid that goes throw the house, they really flood the house with light, illuminating each interior space. These forms do not try to shelter or contain any space; They have not been designed to shelter places of permanency or ecstatic rooms. They are surfaces that reinforce the internal movements of the house, not only of the visitor but of the light, walking through the space we can appreciate a continuous change of form and light, with the contrast of a soft perspective which is at the same time powerful. This contrast is the one that can offer a continuous life inside a space. This geometric freedom, offered by the curve, allows taking the maximum advantage of the m2 of the floor plant and turns this hous into a place without any dead spaces.
Visit the Hector Ruiz Velázquez website – here.
Photography by Pedro M. Martinez
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Jat on 30 Nov 2010 at 7:23 am #
The bathroom sinks seem overstated, huge, unnecessary. Where do you put the soap?
Ryan D on 30 Nov 2010 at 11:46 am #
There’s something about this design that is more suited as a retail shop than a residence. I’m expecting to see jeans on the shelves and racks of shoes.
Jo F on 30 Nov 2010 at 2:38 pm #
It’s too stark, and too much like a commercial business, it doesn’t appear to have a heart – where do you hang the art? And yes, where DO you put the soap?
tm on 30 Nov 2010 at 5:32 pm #
fisheye cam might heve been used
otherwise u see nothing
it’s eazy to criticize, more difficult to accomplish
probably i would have done it otherwise, but now it’s not me the guy holding the pen
keep on the good work hector, and good luck
Michael G on 30 Nov 2010 at 6:24 pm #
I like it, particularly the sweeping and flowing lines. Just a guess, but perhaps minimalists will appreciate this expression a bit more than others? Curious as to what the original style influences were.
I would live in it…and just put a simple soap dish beside the sink.
hector on 01 Dec 2010 at 5:23 am #
Da la sensacion de estar bajo un gran WC, me parece que el autor es un garn admirador de los baños.
Patricio on 01 Dec 2010 at 10:09 am #
Whats the point of having a different floor level on a flat? The apartment looks nicely finished but I dont see a design solution to anything.. And why leave squared-off columns in the middle aflter having all the surrounding walls all curvy?!
Timothy George on 01 Dec 2010 at 10:25 am #
Um, who uses traditional bars of soap these days anyway? Invest in the 6 dollar Lysol no touch soapp dispenser and call it a day! I love the space, yes hanging art would be a challenge, but as you can see the entire design was a challenge! I say job well done!
Michael G on 01 Dec 2010 at 3:44 pm #
Another thought occured. This could be the artistic/architectual equal to some of the more avant garde fashion shows that emphasizes art and presentation verses solving a particular set of problems or being more practical.
And Timothy, while a good suggestion, in this cost concious economy, I can get 3 bars of good traditional soap and a soap dish for the cost of that dispenser. No jab intended here, but an alternate perspective, and fully agreed with you on the flat’s inspiring outcome.
Jat on 02 Dec 2010 at 7:24 am #
Um, yeah, the Lysol no touch soap dispensor would blend in beautifully. Cripes, spare me.
Timothy George on 02 Dec 2010 at 9:34 am #
Whats the deal with everything being matchy matchy and blending! People live here and it should look that way. I love the clean, minimal look, but how about maybe one dish in the sink or a jacket thrown across a couch, is that too much to ask? LOL
TW on 02 Dec 2010 at 5:23 pm #
Do you people still have bars of soap on their basins?? I can’t even remember the last time I specified a basin with an incorporated soap dish for any residential design I did. 5? 10 years ago maybe?
And it is seriously worrying when the major critical analysis for an out of the ordinary design such as this relates to where the soap is going to go. Weird!
Asper on 03 Dec 2010 at 8:12 am #
I have a bar of soap on my sink. My family uses bar soap, my friends use bar soap. The stores still sell bar soap last I checked, AND in an abundance of shapes and scents. My god! I’m so old fashioned!
Jones on 03 Dec 2010 at 10:04 am #
How about a sink that has at least some area for a pump soap dispenser. Form follows function-ever hear of that? Novel, I realize.
kmg on 03 Dec 2010 at 2:55 pm #
Does seem a bit like a retail shop…
Wood floors are beautiful, though. Anyone know what specie that is??
TW on 03 Dec 2010 at 4:14 pm #
Are we all looking at the same bathroom here?
Is there not a HUGE slab of FLAT caesarstone-like surface holding up the basins and some decorative toiletries?
Seems to me that this flat surface would be a perfectly FUNCTIONAL surface for your soap, soap dispenser and any multitude of cleaning solutions.
In fact, you are spoilt for choice here. You could put your soap on the left side of the basins. Or on the right side of the basins. Or if you are happy to share, you could even place it slap bang in the middle of the 2 basins. By my calculation, that space between the 2 basins is probably 200 x 500mm. Enough room for 30 bars of soap if you wish.
But then again you could save yourself the dilemma of the ‘soap saga’ by purchasing one single elegant re-usable soap dispenser ($10 at your local Target store for a white and chrome one) and refill liquid soap for a few dollars every few months.
As to where to put the dispenser. Let me see…If we move the silver perfume bottom a little to the right and the glass perfume bottle a little to the left, voila!, you have a perfect space.
Sorry to be so facetious but really! What an ado about nothing lol!
TW on 03 Dec 2010 at 4:20 pm #
kmg – I suspect the floor isn’t timber but a vinyl.
That one round dark knot doesn’t change size (only direction) and appears suspiciously uniform over each plank. Plus if you look at photo number 8 you can see the joins appear at every 3rd ‘plank’ of wood.
But I could be wrong. Could be a walnut stained elm.
shane on 04 Dec 2010 at 10:42 am #
@ TW, I think you may be right. The knots & grain seem too uniform…but where on this floor would you keep a bar of soap?
Ricardo de A on 04 Dec 2010 at 11:55 am #
round column, round wall, rounded shelfs, rounded ceilings… and take those two squared columns right in your face!… Another dilemma: (not the soap) HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE FIREPLACE 10″ below the shelf??? without getting it roasted after 20 minutes of heat??
TW on 05 Dec 2010 at 12:26 am #
shane – in a soap dish mounted on a custom designed side table at just the right height in the exact same grain as the ‘timber’ floor to camouflage it so as not to spoil the overall design intent of course!
lol!
shane on 05 Dec 2010 at 12:05 pm #
Ricardo de A: I believe they use a soap based compound that is not only fire retardant but very hygenic.
thanks Dave for once again posting a project that continues to inspire dialogue for many days. This is why I love Contemporist. You have a great audience