blue and white interiors link renovated 1930s apartment to its seaside setting in spain

kitchen, dining, living, and workspace merge within RV HOUSE

RV House is a renovation project by BIAN that transforms a compartmentalized 1930s apartment into a flexible, sea-facing residence in Cantabria, Spain. Located along the Bay of Santander, the intervention reconfigures a 120 sqm layout to establish a spatial strategy centered on openness and adaptability.

The original 1932 structure featured long hallways and enclosed rooms that restricted natural light and view corridors. The redesign removes internal partitions to create a central, non-hierarchical core that functions as a multi-use area, combining kitchen, dining, living, and workspace zones into a single, continuous volume. This central zone establishes direct visual and spatial relationships with the bay, while the surrounding bedrooms form a peripheral arrangement that maintains connection to the maritime context.

all images by Hiperfocal

BIAN employs a limited color palette of blue and white

Materially, the project team at BIAN employs a limited palette to emphasize surface integrity and spatial continuity. A linoleum floor unifies the interiors with a consistent tone, blending with raw finishes such as exposed concrete elements. Blue, a color associated with Santander’s identity, is introduced through custom cabinetry and furniture to anchor the design to its geographic setting. Wet areas are finished in standard white ceramic tile, providing a neutral backdrop to contrast the chromatic intensity of selected surfaces. Bathrooms are treated as distinct spatial episodes within the home. Their bold finishes in yellow and orange contrast with the otherwise restrained palette, reinterpreting traditionally secondary spaces as areas of focus and energy.

The outcome is a domestic environment defined by flexibility and spatial fluidity, allowing programmatic uses to evolve over time. This approach reflects a departure from rigid spatial compartmentalization, promoting a more open and integrated mode of living.

BIAN employs a limited palette to emphasize surface integrity and spatial continuity within RV House

original partitions removed to introduce a continuous, multi-use central volume

reconfigured 1930s apartment prioritizes spatial openness and adaptability

interior transitions from neutral tones to vibrant accents in wet areas

exposed concrete elements preserve the building’s original structure

bay-facing orientation enhances visual connection with the maritime landscape

custom furnishings contribute to a unified interior expression

standard white ceramic tiles are used for material simplicity

peripheral bedrooms maintain visual links to the Bay of Santander

bold color contrasts redefine the role of traditionally secondary spaces

bathrooms designed as vivid spatial moments in yellow and orange

project info:

name: RV House

architect: BIAN

location: Santander, Cantabria, Spain

photographer: Hiperfocal | @hiperfocal_

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom