Architect Francisco Ortega Ruiz – FORarquitectura has transformed a flat on the eighth floor of a 1970s complex in Málaga, designed by Luis Bono de la Herrán and Luis Machuca Santa-Cruz, into his home-studio. The renovation project not only honors the serene and inviting ambiances of Andalusia but also adapts them to the modern demands of comfort and flexibility. By reinterpreting and updating the traditional Andalusian aesthetics, the space now caters to the needs of contemporary living.
The design of the house was specifically created to accommodate a central organization, with the daytime common areas situated in the center and the nighttime areas surrounding it. To enhance the communal spaces and promote a seamless flow, the partitions flanking the gaps were removed and replaced with an “L”-shaped wooden furniture/gallery and a large curtain.
These new elements serve as dividers between different areas and also provide access to the various rooms. Additionally, the furniture serves a dual purpose by concealing the utilities and offering storage spaces, thereby contributing to a minimalist and uncluttered interior design.
Furthermore, the curtain element ensures privacy and independence for the central space, allowing for flexibility and the ability to customize the level of seclusion within the different areas of the house.
The space between the curtain serves as an interstitial zone, bridging the gap between the private and intimate interior of the house during nighttime and the public and communal exterior during daytime. This area, known as the Engawa space, is where various elements from the outside world converge, such as light, vegetation, air, water, and the artificial landscape depicted in a ceramic mural. The mural itself showcases drawings of plants, local customs, traditions, the sea, and other architectural elements, offering a glimpse into the city of Malaga.