Unlacquered MDF builds furniture in central joinery design, maintaining consistent visual tone in the room.

“Espacio Aguacate Transforms Madrid Flat into Multifunctional Masterpiece with Central Joinery Design”

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Written by Flynn Matthews

2026-09-08

Reimagining the workspace-home nexus in Carabanchel

ALE ESTUDIO ingeniously refashions a fourth-floor apartment in Madrid‘s Carabanchel district, crafting a seamless blend of home and office. The key? A central joinery design piece that defines the space without dividing it. Initially designed as a workspace for a young professional, Espacio Aguacate pivots gracefully to accommodate personal life while maintaining its functional roots.

A Dynamic Backdrop for Innovation

Once a working-class district, Carabanchel is now a thriving hub for artists and culture. This vibrant setting aligns perfectly with Espacio Aguacate’s dual-nature concept—a living embodiment of work-life integration. The use of a pivotal construction effectively enhances the flexibility of this integration. The neighborhood’s transformation sets the tone, nurturing an environment where professional and domestic realms coexist.

For more architectural transformations, check out Luxurious Design Meets Tiny Living which explores compact design solutions.

Seamless tile and timber countertop forming a continuous surface without divides.
Tile and timber meet edge to edge with no reveal between them, the counter reading as one continuous surface rather than two materials stopping short of each other

Filled with light and life

Large windows enhance the apartment with abundant natural light, offering stunning views across Madrid. The trapezoidal floor plan, once seen as a limitation, reveals a dynamic canvas where shifting angles and sightlines redefine the space throughout the day. This canvas is accentuated by the sophisticated carpentry element, bringing continuity and openness to the entire layout.

Opened joinery volume reveals space inside, transitioning from wall to furniture.
Opened, the volume stops reading as a wall and starts reading as furniture with room enough to step inside

A vision expanded: From workspace to home

Originally intended solely as a professional setting, Espacio Aguacate evolves into a true hybrid—office, kitchen, and occasional retreat. ALE ESTUDIO envisions the apartment as a flowing, adaptable environment, defying traditional room divisions in favor of a continuous experience guided by its central joinery volume.

Tall handle subtly integrated into seamless paneling for minimalist aesthetic.
A single tall handle marks the only hardware visible on an otherwise seamless run of paneling

Unifying design through material

The apartment’s continuity is further underscored by green rubber flooring from Artigo, chosen for its durability and sustainability. This key material seamlessly connects the kitchen, work, and sleeping areas, fostering a cohesive atmosphere. The flooring, along with this crucial unit, plays a crucial role in tying the elements together.

Cozy nook elevated with lamp lighting, distinct from window-lit areas.
Raised a single step above the main floor, the nook borrows its light from a lamp rather than the window it hides from

Simple elegance in joinery and ceramics

MDF joinery in its natural finish anchors the space, mirrored across both work and kitchen surfaces. This approach unifies the apartment’s varied functions under a consistent design language. Meanwhile, ceramic tiles vary in format, enhancing different sections—from the expansive kitchen worktop to the intimate bathroom setting, each interacting with the centerpiece.

To explore further design innovation, see how Herzog & Meuron Transform Pavilion into a unique dining experience.

Mirror and window flush with tiles, doubling brick view without interrupting frames.
Mirror and window sit flush against the tile grid, doubling the room’s brick view without a frame to interrupt it

Technical touches: Subtle yet sophisticated

Details in stainless steel accentuate the aesthetic, from exposed services to the elegant simplicity of a Sira washbasin and TRES taps. In the bathroom, mint-colored ceramic tiles add a cooler contrast, completing the thoughtful interplay between professional and personal spaces.

Small format tiles wrap bench and niche seamlessly, with no cut edges visible.
The tile’s small format lets it wrap the bench and niche as one continuous plane, corners included, without a single cut edge showing
Tan MDF panel interrupts green tile run, marking transition to apartment space.
The tan MDF panel breaks the run of green tile just once, marking where the bathroom’s material world ends and the rest of the apartment begins

Source: urdesignmag.com

Frequently asked questions

What is the key design element in the transformed flat?

The key design element is a central joinery design piece that defines the space without dividing it. It brings continuity and openness to the entire layout of the flat.

How does the design of Espacio Aguacate support work-life integration?

The design supports work-life integration by crafting a seamless blend of home and office with flexible construction and a flowing, adaptable environment. The central joinery volume defies traditional room divisions, promoting a continuous living experience.

What materials enhance the transformed flat’s design unity?

Green rubber flooring from Artigo and MDF joinery in its natural finish enhance the design unity. These materials connect various areas like the kitchen, work, and sleeping spaces, creating a cohesive atmosphere.