Orfila Flat by Schneider Colao

Surfaces of marble and hardwood spread through the rooms of this renovated apartment in Madrid by Spanish architects Schneider Colao (+ slideshow).

The residence is located on the third floor of a 19th century apartment block and the architects have removed some of the original walls to create larger bedrooms and a central living room.

Unusually, a walk-through shower runs along the side of the living room, but can be screened behind a set of sliding doors.

"The owners practice yoga and meditation," explains architect Jesus Colao. "They wanted to simply define wet and dry areas, rather than feel they were constantly entering a different space."

The shower walkway stretches between bathrooms on opposite sides of the apartment, including one that opens out to the main entrance.

"Traditionally many Moorish homes, not limited to religious buildings, had a fountain for cleansing prior to entering a home or shop," said Colao, to explain the idea behind this arrangement.

Marble floors and surfaces can be found in each of the wet areas, including a terrace at the rear of the apartment that features an outdoor sink.

Dinesen hardwood covers the floors of the two bedrooms, while softwood beams create ribbed ceilings over the bathrooms.

See more stories about apartment interiors, including one in Milan with a wireframe staircase.

Photography is by Diego Dominguez.

Here's some text from the architects:

Orfila Flat by Schneider Colao Architects

Located on a quiet street in the Chamberi neighborhood of central Madrid, the Orfila flat is a gut renovation intervened within a historic 19th century apartment building. The original 200 sq. meter flat contained a winding maze of rooms which were gutted to design a structural framework allowing for an open plan which brings together various domestic programs including sleeping quarters, office, living space, open shower, kitchen and terrace.

3D axonometric plan - click above for larger image and key 

The project materials are addressed simply using naturally treated Macael marble throughout the flat and Dinesen hardwood floors in the bedrooms. The massive nature of the marble surface offers a continuous artificial landscape that fuses washrooms and public spaces into one.

Vertical openings were enlarged through structural means as much as possible and a terrace was extended beyond the existing limits of the property to maximize natural light.

Plan - click above for larger image and key 

Project Team:
Schneider Colao (Architects)
Jesus Colao (Lead Design Architect)
Beatriz Pérez Pérez de Iriarte (Design Architect)
Julia Lillo García (Design Architect)