Architecture of the XVIII century

The study Natalia Zubizarreta He is responsible for giving a new life to this single-family building in the old town of a Biscayan village, dating back to the late 1700s and bombed during the Civil War. This project began with significant architectural work, as Zubizarreta comments. “we have emptied the building and cleaned out the structure, keeping the original skeleton and facades.

The house has 3 floors plus the attic. The ground floor has common areas for a garage, txoko (a Basque-style recreational room), and laundry room. The first floor is dedicated to the homeowners, and the second floor allows their daughter a bit more independence. Additionally, “we have taken advantage of the space below the deck, installing a walk-on glass floor, promoting the natural light that comes through the skylight on the roof”.

Different natural materials and current elements coexist with reclaimed pieces.“To create homogeneity and peace, we have unified all the living spaces in a light beige tone and installed natural oak flooring. In the txoko and kitchens, the floor is made of porcelain tiles with a hammered natural stone effect for easy maintenance.

Highlights include the magnificent recovery of Napoleonic-era pieces, the use of custom textiles such as cushions and elaborate screens made with antique French linens, furniture originating from an old palace in Florence... Priceless pieces that maintain the soul of the home with a clean and careful layout to achieve a simple and current atmosphere.

From the studio, they assure that “We have put special care into the lighting project”and this is evident in the interior courtyard, which features windows with natural wood Venetian blinds that allow natural light to flow in. The bathrooms are another example of this, as they combine windows with light fixtures to achieve an overall cohesive design. It is here that two Bathco porcelain sinks have been installed: the models Volta and Cáceres.

This is a house with a special soul, in which the Natalia Zubizarreta Interiorismo studio has put all its care and attention to update everything from the structure to the last decorative detail, respecting the permanence and value of the antique.

Photograph: Felipe Scheffel