Photography by David Zarzoso, courtesy of Viruta Lab (@virutalab).
Photography by David Zarzoso, courtesy of Viruta Lab (@virutalab).
Currently surfacing all over, the checkerboard is the motif of the moment: see Trend Alert and Checks, Please.
Currently surfacing all over, the checkerboard is the motif of the moment: see Trend Alert and Checks, Please.
Tasked with reviving the humble two-story house, architects María Daroz and David Puerta of Viruta Lab lovingly restored the soul of the place while lending it coherency and punch via a marine-blue-and-white tiled thruway from entryway to inner sanctum.
Tasked with reviving the humble two-story house, architects María Daroz and David Puerta of Viruta Lab lovingly restored the soul of the place while lending it coherency and punch via a marine-blue-and-white tiled thruway from entryway to inner sanctum.
The 85-square-meter (approximately 914-square-foot) house is in Valencia’s seaside neighborhood El Cabanyal and is a traditional fisherman’s abode (the owner’s grandfather drapes hid nets on the façade every day to dry them).
The 85-square-meter (approximately 914-square-foot) house is in Valencia’s seaside neighborhood El Cabanyal and is a traditional fisherman’s abode (the owner’s grandfather drapes hid nets on the façade every day to dry them).
“The house is a family legacy and the image the owners have of it is very deep,” they continue, “so it was necessary for any intervention to be as respectful as possible and in a language they understood and took as their own.”
“The house is a family legacy and the image the owners have of it is very deep,” they continue, “so it was necessary for any intervention to be as respectful as possible and in a language they understood and took as their own.”
In every room, newly exposed original brick and restored moldings meet contemporary millwork and blue-and-white porcelain tiles.
In every room, newly exposed original brick and restored moldings meet contemporary millwork and blue-and-white porcelain tiles.
Of the repeating checkerboards, the architects explain: “This design provides a hypnotic optical effect that maximizes the spaces and is presented as a differentiating, traditional element with its own atmosphere.”
Of the repeating checkerboards, the architects explain: “This design provides a hypnotic optical effect that maximizes the spaces and is presented as a differentiating, traditional element with its own atmosphere.”
The tiles—supplied by Hisbalit of Spain—carpet the floors and rise to form a wainscot that extends into the powder room (the architects describe it as “a large wooden box that structures the space and works as a container forthe toilet, which is hidden inside”).
The tiles—supplied by Hisbalit of Spain—carpet the floors and rise to form a wainscot that extends into the powder room (the architects describe it as “a large wooden box that structures the space and works as a container forthe toilet, which is hidden inside”).
Above:The small living area off the entry is adjacent to the kitchen; the glass back doors lead to a small courtyard and provide cross ventilation.
Above:The small living area off the entry is adjacent to the kitchen; the glass back doors lead to a small courtyard and provide cross ventilation.
Continuing the subtle seaside theme, all of the upholstery is in green with blue accents. The sofa bed is the Due from Belta & Frajumar.
Continuing the subtle seaside theme, all of the upholstery is in green with blue accents. The sofa bed is the Due from Belta & Frajumar.
The materials palette continues upstairs where the two bedrooms share a bathroom in the middle.
The materials palette continues upstairs where the two bedrooms share a bathroom in the middle.
The house was initially stripped down to its skeleton; the brick was uncovered under peeling paint.
The house was initially stripped down to its skeleton; the brick was uncovered under peeling paint.
Woven esparto grass resurfaces here as a headboard set in the checkboard.
Woven esparto grass resurfaces here as a headboard set in the checkboard.
Ab0ve: The bathroom’s stained oak millwork evokes an old apothecary—with a checked twist.
Ab0ve: The bathroom’s stained oak millwork evokes an old apothecary—with a checked twist.
The sink is the Space basin from Nuovvo.
The sink is the Space basin from Nuovvo.
The roof has a dining gazebo, newly paved with traditional terracotta tile.
The roof has a dining gazebo, newly paved with traditional terracotta tile.
María Daroz and David Puerta of Viruta Lab are based in Valencia and specialize in architectural heritage conservation.
María Daroz and David Puerta of Viruta Lab are based in Valencia and specialize in architectural heritage conservation.
