Jagged MDF creates whole partitions of storage for El Guateque residences in Barcelona

Kitchens, loos and storage areas are slotted behind an MDF “scenography” in these residences designed by architects Adrià Escolano and David Steegmann.

Escolano and Steegmann created the 2 El Guateque residences by changing a 160-square-metre self-build home from the 1950s.

MDF storage walls on the second floorMDF storage walls on the second floor

A refurbishment had beforehand been tried in 2007, however was deserted as a result of monetary disaster. In consequence, the constructing had no inside partitions and was in want of a complete refit.

Changing the three-storey constructing into two separate houses meant that area inside was restricted, so the architects had been eager to go away as a lot area open as attainable.

MDF storage walls on the first floorMDF storage walls on the first floor

Their design splits the 2 houses into “front-stage” and “backstage” areas.

The front-stage areas are the principle residing areas, used for consuming, sleeping, working and enjoyable, whereas the backstage areas are for extra non-public or utilitarian actions, like cooking or bathing, and for storing belongings.

First floor living space with partitionFirst floor living space with partition

These backstage areas are the place Escolano and Steegmann have centered their consideration. They’re constructed from MDF panels, with jagged edges that differ on every ground.

“The undertaking concentrates on the backstage, accumulating in a single technical piece of furnishings, current on all three flooring,” stated the pair.

“The furnishings’s closing panels, a suspended scenography, construct a background panorama for the residing area,” they defined.

El Guateque apartments by Adrià Escolano and David SteegmannEl Guateque apartments by Adrià Escolano and David Steegmann

On the uppermost ground, two jagged panels slide open to disclose a bathe. On the bottom ground, the rugged edges run beneath the ceiling, whereas the primary ground storage wall options an uneven finish part.

The architects got here up with the design by exploring the restrictions of CNC reducing machines. The geometries they used had been primarily based on a research of damaged marble slabs.

MDF storage walls on the ground floorMDF storage walls on the ground floor

“Since MDF wooden panels are reduce by numerical management machines, we had been concerned with pushing the boundaries of this system to new prospects, forcing the reducing machine to vectorial actions,” they defined.

For David apartment designed by MH.AP StudioFor David apartment designed by MH.AP Studio

An Attic for David in Barcelona includes a cosy inside crafted from MDF

In addition to the MDF panels, Escolano and Steegmann have additionally used terracotta tiles to unify areas all through the constructing. These tiles line the toilet areas, and in addition present wall and ground surfaces for outside terraces.

MDF storage walls on the ground floorMDF storage walls on the ground floor

The condo on the bottom ground is an open-plan, L-shaped studio flat with a terrace on the rear.

Sliding doorways built-in into the MDF storage wall make it attainable to subdivide the area when wanted.

El Guateque apartments by Adrià Escolano and David SteegmannEl Guateque apartments by Adrià Escolano and David Steegmann

The second house occupies each the primary and second flooring, and is a little more versatile.

On the primary ground, two areas could be partitioned off to kind bedrooms, the biggest of which is contained by a concertina-style display.

The higher degree capabilities as a master suite suite, which opens out to a roof terrace and pool.

Roof terraceRoof terrace

Different houses that make artistic use of MDF embody An Attic for David, which options bespoke cabinetry, and Condo XVII, the place the fabric is colored inexperienced.

Images is by José Hevia.

Challenge credit:

Architects: Adrià Escolano, David Steegmann
Engineer: Joan Ovejero
Contractor: Constructiva International

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