In Madrid, a 1960s apartment had become lost in its own labyrinth of hallways. For a publisher who prefers lived-in homes to static interiors, the JOTAJOTA+ studio has freed up this 60-square-meter apartment and given it a new sense of freedom. The result? An apartment with a flexible layout, designed for living alone, entertaining often, and hosting guests for extended stays.
Originally, however, the apartment offered little room for such flexibility. Typical of the era in which it was built, its layout featured numerous partitions and hallways, dividing the space into a series of rooms with little connection to one another. The owner, on the other hand, dreamed of exactly the opposite: “A home designed almost like a domestic laboratory, conceived to entertain, bring people together, and welcome guests.” Although he lives there alone, Miguel loves to open his door to friends and keep a place for his sister, who lives in Berlin, whenever she returns to the city that holds a special place in her heart. To bring this vision to life, he entrusted the project to architects Javier Onrubia and Jorge Gabaldón, who envisioned “a playful home, capable of challenging the traditional hierarchy of rooms while preserving the memory of the existing structure.” And that memory soon revealed itself beneath their feet. Once the vinyl flooring was removed, the renovation work uncovered the original floor of decorated cement tiles. The duo chose to restore it and fill in the missing sections with a black border. It then became the continuous canvas upon which the new design was built. Three colorful volumes are then placed upon it, like objects scaled to the apartment’s dimensions. Red unites the kitchen, living room, and dining room; blue accompanies the office and bathroom; green filters access to the bedroom. Finally, full-height movable partitions make it possible to close off certain areas as needed, without reverting to the original partitioning. The apartment can thus open up when the house is full, then regain more privacy when everyone retreats to their own spaces. Natural wood, lacquered woodwork, matte mosaic tiles, and restored floor patterns bring this newfound freedom to life. It’s a transformation that even surprises Miguel: “I never would have imagined living in a house like this, but in reality, I love it.” A vibrant home, full of character, that ultimately seems to reflect who he is. Here, everything can change—except the joy of living here. Want to take a tour?
