The terrace – Madrid

Spanish practice Ábaton Arquitectura recently refurbished a penthouse in the heart of Madrid next to one of the most important cultural sites in the city, namely, the surroundings of the Retiro Park. Occupying the top floor of an an apartment building with a terrace of 190 square meters the project aimed to recover the potential of the outdoor space, its natural lighting and panoramic views over Madrid, since prior to refurbishment the dwelling was excessively partitioned and dark.
In order to achieve a better distribution of the property, it was decided that the spaces should be dealt with distinguishing public areas, which were now to be open and spacious, from private ones, which were to be more intimate.
The terrace, which the previous owner had incorporated to the house, has been fully recovered and is conceived as an outdoor extension of the living and dining areas. To accomplish this visual continuity between living-room and terrace, a smooth profiled joinery was used which disappears in the structure and can be fully opened and concealed behind the bathroom wall paneling, thus blending living-room and terrace into one area.