The renovation designed by Homu Arquitectos differentiates the two apartments from the façade, creating independent entrances. The first is located on the ground floor and has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a small outdoor area with a private pool. The second occupies the upper level and features a high attic space, organized around a day area that integrates the kitchen, living-dining room, and a bedroom with access to two terraces.
During the renovation, the architects chose to highlight the building's history, leaving the original structural materials exposed and allowing the new construction elements to coexist with the existing wooden structure, creating a dialogue between the old and new life of the building. The project takes advantage of the light that penetrates from the courtyards to enhance the interior's spaciousness.
Los Ángeles apartments by Homu Arquitectos. Photograph by Jorge Peiró.
Project description by Homu Arquitectos
Located in Valencia's historic maritime district of El Cabanyal, Los Ángeles apartments breathe new life into a former ice warehouse, transforming it into two tourist accommodations that combine history, identity, and contemporary design. The rehabilitation, carried out by Valencia-based Homu Arquitectos, stems from an exercise in architectural respect, where the original materiality
and essence of the building have been carefully preserved.
With a surface area of 243 sqm, this terraced property maintained the characteristic elements of El Cabanyal's urban fabric. The intervention removed superfluous details to reorganize the space and adapt it to new needs without losing its essence. The original façade has been restored, along with its independent access, typical of the neighborhood's architectural imprint. Similarly, the stone and brick walls have been recovered, along with the original wooden carpentry and doors.
At the core of the design, Homu Arquitectos has advocated for highlighting the existing structure and materials. Exposed brick, stone, and wood emerge in their pure state, establishing a dialogue with the new intervention. The complementary metal structure integrates with subtlety, providing a contemporary character without diminishing the prominence of the historical materiality. Additionally, indirect lighting takes advantage of these elements' positioning to enhance the warmth of the space.
Regarding the layout, the project clearly differentiates the two dwellings. The ground floor program features two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a Mediterranean patio, and a private swimming pool. On the upper floor, another apartment with independent access houses two terraces and a generous attic space with ceilings nearly seven meters high, where natural light and ventilation play a key role. Original structural elements, such as wooden beams, coexist with an interior proposal of Mediterranean airs and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The bathroom areas become the backbone of the space, functioning as a hinge between the day areas and bedrooms. Despite their structural magnitude, they have been designed to integrate subtly, without breaking the fluidity and visual language of the apartments.
Thus, this Homu Arquitectos project demonstrates that it is possible to intervene in historical architecture without stripping it of its identity. The recovery of original elements, combined with contemporary solutions, results in a harmonious proposal where past and present coexist in perfect harmony.
