avenida del oeste apartment by balzar arquitectos

avenida del oeste apartment harmonizes tradition + modernity

spanish studio balzar arquitectos recently completed the design of the avenida del oeste apartment — a 250 sqm renovated space at the heart of valencia. nestled in the historic ciutat vella neighborhood, the project articulates its unique location through a composition that gently balances tradition with modernity. deep black and wooden accents elevate the neutral color base that flows throughout the property. at the same time, traces of the old ceiling décor steadily contrast modern features and complement the warm lighting ambiance.

nodding to the old wardrobes that covered and visually organized the interior walls, avenida del oeste now features contemporary and milk-white lacquered wood paneling. aside from boosting thermal and acoustic insulation, the paneling also adds storage and structure to the design. the real common thread holding the space together, though, are the skirting board and ceiling moldings that link the fitted doors to the kitchen, wardrobes, and marble cladding in the bathrooms — producing a sense of harmony and order in the apartment.

painting by the artist esther miquel, next to wooden furniture by agrippa

a continuous space organized by fixed furniture

the balzar arquitectos team divided the property into three separate zones. to start, the entrance opens onto a spacious hall with a domed corridor that preserves the ceiling moldings, in tribute to the old décor. the same corridor leads to the study, gym, and shared bathroom — followed by the living area (sitting room, dining, kitchen), a single space solely divided by fixed furniture. meanwhile, the curved ceiling of the dining room echoes the vaulted corridor to further articulate visual continuity and spatial organization. the master bedroom, finally, sits at the far end of the house and includes an en-suite bathroom and dressing room.

the studio carefully designed all pieces of fixed furniture. the double-sided chimney, dining room table, kitchen island, integrated sinks, master room bed, and wardrobe can indeed all be considered ‘small works of art that define the calm, neat atmosphere of the home,’ notes balzar arquitectos.

dining area – table by balzar arquitectos, chairs by andreu world and lighting by viabizzuno

natural and authentic materials elevated by warm tones

in terms of color and material palette, the architects injected natural and authentic elements into the design, such as marble and wood, to complement the interiors’ overall neutral base. as a result, the rooms mainly feature cream and brown tones that move from dark to light. these colors work in balance with the orange streaks from the chimney fire or the light reflected off the copper cavities in the living room furniture and master bedroom. the idea was to produce a wide chromatic range that works together in harmony, paying attention to every last detail. similarly, the apartment’s lighting can be controlled by an app — flooding the rooms with a warm and soft glow that gives a cozy feel.

a vault set in the access corridor