optical patterns + bright pops of color complete apartment & home office by m²ft in madrid

m²ft architects has used a series of optical patterns, bright colors, and ceramic inserts to transform an apartment & home office in madrid, spain. the project draws reference from italian design in the 50s and 60s, applying its principles and merging them with those of contemporary spanish architecture of flexibility, dynamism, and expanded domesticity.

all images courtesy of m²ft architects

m²ft architects has applied a variety of colors and patterns to mark the function of each room and amplify its atmosphere. in this way, the resulting spaces are always different, but they are also always connected to each other. the senses of touch, sight, and smell were used as the main tools for the conception and construction of the interior. the apartment is designed as a fluid space, without divisions, where the only fixed points are the patterns.

the patterns take different shapes, from floors to walls, from ceilings to decorations, always visible from any angle. the central bearing wall is also transformed into a three-dimensional pattern for the entire length of the house. within the interior, the perception of space changes, following the qualities of the textures. the entrance ‘rotates’ to face the rest of the apartment, the kitchen ‘stretches’ towards the dining room, the bathroom ‘rises’ to increase the feeling of ‘well-being’, and the bedroom ‘expands’ to change at will.

the m²ft team has also incorporated a home-office, formed as an adequate space that allows concentration without having to interfere with other domestic dynamics. the pre-existing small room was converted into a welcoming and enclosed and soundproofed space, thanks to the sound-absorbing yellow ceiling, a color that also favors concentration.

the kitchen is arranged as an open area that prevents isolation, and promotes gender equality in domestic tasks; a place that allows two or three people to work simultaneously. the entrance is transformed into a ‘clean’ space, a seamless transition between the outside and the inside.

each intervention was made to optimize the original spatial characteristics, but also the energy consumption and performance, respecting both environmental and economic sustainability. in addition to the improvement and modification of the internal distribution, the existing parquet was recovered and new ceramic floors were added, high-efficiency windows were added, cross ventilation was enhanced, the heating system was installed and the electrical system was upgraded.

project info:

name: pattern house
architects: m²ft architects
project team: flavio martella, maria vittoria tesei
location: madrid, spain

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