Located on a corner plot, the house renovation developed by Gallego Arquitectura presents the kitchen as a backbone that acts as a temporary meeting point and fluidly connects the original volume with the proposed extension, thus responding to both functionality and aesthetics that respect the materials by treating the stone and the masonry with the lightness of the metal structure and glass.
This project results in an exercise of delicacy and attention that dialogues with time and also with the environment, with which it relates directly through apparently arbitrary openings that are governed by an internal logic where the original building and the extension, with different proportions, respect and complement each other, and whose materials come together to create a serene atmosphere where each element contributes to an experience.
CM House by Gallego Arquitectura. Photograph by Adrià Nuñez.
Project description by Gallego Arquitectura
The project restores a corner house in the historic center of a small town in the Camp de Tarragona region. Gallego Arquitectura studio works on this hybrid project between traditional and industrialised construction, enhancing everything that existed before the intervention, consolidating and showcasing the original elements to integrate them harmoniously.
The most significant gesture in terms of distribution is the placement of the kitchen, which serves as the central axis of the house. Located at the corner, it acts as a meeting point between the past and the future, seamlessly connecting the original volume with the contemporary extension. This decision creates a new spatial narrative that responds to both functionality and aesthetics.
The openings in the façade, seemingly arbitrary, follow an internal logic, with the openings in the original building and the extension having different proportions. This respects the traditional construction system, where openings have smaller dimensions. These perforations not only engage with light and views but also establish an intimate relationship with the urban environment. The ground floor base not only frames the openings but also links them with the surroundings.
The material treatment combines the solidity of stone and brickwork with the lightness of the metal structure and glass. Inside, white is used to unify the space while highlighting the elements that have been preserved from the original building. The warmth of the wood and the delicacy of the metal elements evoke an atmosphere of serenity, where each element contributes to a cohesive and peaceful experience.
This renovation goes beyond mere functionality to become a reflection on the ability of architecture to engage with time. The proposal celebrates the balance between the old and the new, offering a space that feels contemporary yet rooted, capable of meeting present-day needs without losing the essence of its past.
