The vision for Casa POP, a striking apartment in Madrid‘s Vicálvaro, began with a cinematic still. Inspired by Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore lounging on vibrant chairs, the architects at gon architects crafted a space that embodies this color narrative with artistic references to Almodóvar before a single wall was considered.
Almodóvar-Inspired Design and Innovative Use of Space
Originally constrained by standard regulations for a nuclear family, the 78-square-meter apartment offered two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and an uninspired layout. Notably, it provided sweeping rooftop views but lacked a connection to how its owners, Santiago and Ángel, truly lived. Both culture enthusiasts, they dismissed the traditional layout to embrace a design reflecting their passions with cinematic-inspired elements.
Santiago, a hospital nurse, and Ángel, a literature teacher, envisioned a bright, cohesive space. They sought a filmic quality, with sightlines and light transforming the apartment into an uninterrupted exploration of space and light—a continuation of gon architects‘ previous innovative projects in Madrid that often featured cinematic influences.
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The redesign adopted a U-shaped layout centered on a storage hub, guiding movement from public to private areas. This approach is part of the studio’s signature style, demonstrated in previous projects, where circulation and color act as unified elements. The vibrant use of color and layout are prominent throughout.
Each room’s color envelops walls, ceilings, and furniture, echoing historical European interiors. This immersive use of color influences spatial perception more than decorative objects do, marking the space emotionally and visually with a design inspired by cinematic artistry.
The heart of the living-dining area is a custom opal-green bookcase housing 1,500 books and objects, acting as a chronicle of the couple’s shared life. The bookcase, which includes references to works by Federico García Lorca, features translucent sliding doors, allowing for privacy or openness across the apartment.
From the entrance, a marble-green kitchen extends towards the bedroom, underlining the open layout meant for conversation and interaction. This design shows a larger trend in domestic spaces where color transcends traditional partitions, capturing the spirit of artistic design influences.
The living-dining room connects to a multifunctional space with a pull-out bed, allowing adaptability without needing extra rooms—highlighting intelligent design over mere space expansion.
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Adjacent to the bedroom, a yellow dressing room gives way to a bright space featuring a custom ceramic headboard, aligning with the studio’s minimal furnishing and color-focused aesthetic. Predominantly sourced from Muuto, the furniture includes essentials like a table and armchairs.
Rooted in cinema, the apartment’s color palette began with a film scene, reiterated by a statement from the studio that emphasized architecture as storytelling akin to film. The gradient of color conjures a sequential narrative across the home, all part of the narrative-rich design aesthetic.
When bookcase doors are left open, they offer a diagonal view, uniting entrance and bedroom before closing them to create distinct, intimate spaces. At night, soft glows from colored rooms mimic illuminated windows, bringing a cozy vibrancy into the home’s own narrative, beautifully completing the vision.
Source: urdesignmag.com
Frequently asked questions
What inspired the design of Casa POP in Madrid?
The design of Casa POP was inspired by a cinematic still featuring Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore, with artistic references to Almodóvar.
How does the redesign of the apartment utilize space?
The redesign adopted a U-shaped layout centered on a storage hub, guiding movement from public to private areas, demonstrating an approach where circulation and color act as unified elements.
What role does color play in the apartment’s design?
Color envelops each room’s walls, ceilings, and furniture, influencing spatial perception emotionally and visually, more than decorative objects would, and is inspired by cinematic artistry.