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Casa Cabanyal

Viruta Lab

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Viruta Lab recovers the seafaring essence to this house in the Cabanyal, the old fishermen's neighborhood of Valencia - David Zarzoso
Original architectural elements, pre-existing materials and the soul of this popular neighborhood are elevated through a respectful recovery in which the sentimental value has been essential. - David Zarzoso
Viruta Lab has recovered the essential elements that could be deteriorated, providing a new language that evokes sea and salt in every corner. - David Zarzoso
Viruta Lab recovers the seafaring essence to this house in the Cabanyal, the old fishermen's neighborhood of Valencia - David Zarzoso

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Comments
Innovation
Functionality
Creativity
Eco-Social Impact
Total
JURY VOTES
Small Apartment
7.20
7.46
8.03
7.71
7.6
Nazanin Naeini
Nazanin Naeini Exhibition Designer at Guggenheim Museum
The apartment stays true to its pas...
6
7
8
8
7.25
Nikita Morell
Nikita Morell Founder at Architects WordShop
A very clever use of space. I love...
8
8
9
9
8.5
Orlando Marques
Orlando Marques Founder and Director at OMstudio Lighting
Beautiful place and story. I highli...
7
7.5
7.5
8
7.5
Andrea Sensoli
Andrea Sensoli Founder and Principal Architect at Superfuturedesign*
it takes courage to confront the he...
6
6
7
8
6.75
Jeff Xiong
Jeff Xiong Retail Space Design Director at ANTA Sports Products
6.6
7.36
6.75
7.21
6.98
Ye Zhang
Ye Zhang Founder and Chief Architect at LZA
6.5
7
6
8.5
7
Johan Lingner
Johan Lingner Head of Store Design at H&M
6
6
7
5
6
Monica Dalla Riva
Monica Dalla Riva Senior Vice President design and Customer Experience at Deutsche Telekom
7.5
8
9
7
7.88
Christian Kirschenmann
Christian Kirschenmann Studio Director Workplace at Ippolito Fleitz Group
I sense the essence of the Mediterr...
9
9
9
8
8.75
Maarten Jamin
Maarten Jamin Founder at bs;bp
8
7
9
6
7.5
Jannis Reger
Jannis Reger Managing Director at CECON Buildings
6
8
8
7.5
7.38
Elvira Munoz
Elvira Munoz Director of Interiors and EMEA Interior Design Practice Leader of Buildings + Places at Aecom
Such a clever use of the tiny space...
9
9.15
9.61
10
9.44
Qiang Yu
Qiang Yu Founder at YuQiang & Partners
8
7
8.5
8
7.88
Comments
Innovation
Functionality
Creativity
Eco-Social Impact
Total
GRAND JURY VOTES
Shortlisted - Small Apartment of the Year
7.36
7.69
8.21
7.97
7.81
Matteo Ferrari
Matteo Ferrari Founder at Matteo Ferrari Studio
A project that values the local his...
7.2
8
8.46
8
7.92
Harkaran Singh Boparai
Harkaran Singh Boparai Founder at Space 5
Excellent use of space, I love the...
7.2
8.04
8.03
7.71
7.75
Gerrit Vos
Gerrit Vos Founder and Creative Director at Workshop of Wonders
Really beautifully crafted and styl...
8
7.5
8.5
8
8
Rabih Hage
Rabih Hage Founder at Rabih Hage
7.2
7.46
8.03
7.71
7.6
Wayne Turett
Wayne Turett Founder and Principal at The Turett Collaborative : Architecture and Interior Design
This project has many sustainable e...
7.2
7.46
8.03
8.44
7.78
Designer
Floor area
80 ㎡
Completion
2023
Social Media
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Tiles
Exterior tiles
Metallic carpentry
Lighting
Ceiling fabrics
Sanitary
Furniture
Accessories
Benches, side table and backrests
Mirrors and bathroom furniture

Viruta Lab has restored and redesigned an 80m2 historic house in Valencia's Cabanyal neighborhood, a traditional fishing district. This house, with deep sentimental value, has been rejuvenated while preserving its original architectural elements and neighborhood's essence. The project focuses on rekindling the house's historical charm by using traditional materials and geometrical patterns that reflect the sea and salt.

The house, dating back to 1946, was once home to the current owner's grandparents, who were fishermen. The project aims to rekindle the memories and emotions associated with the place. Original elements, such as the stone trough in the inner courtyard where the grandfather used to sit, have been restored, emphasizing the passage of time.

Viruta Lab, with its expertise in architectural heritage preservation, has carefully renovated the house to retain its Cabanyal character. The color of the façade, ornamental details and the main staircase were maintained to honor the neighborhood's architectural legacy.

During the restoration, the house was stripped down to reveal the original bricks and pre-existing moldings were repaired to add height and nostalgic value. The main floor features open-concept spaces that connect the entrance to the backyard, creating geometric perspectives and improving natural lighting and ventilation. A wooden box structure houses the hidden toilet.

On the upper floor, two bedrooms share a central bathroom enclosed within a wooden box. This bathroom introduces a double circulation route using old glass and wood doors. The house reinterprets its original design while adapting it to modern needs, preserving the original brick walls contrasted with a blue and off-white checkerboard pattern on the floors and walls.

The staircase becomes the focal point, blending past, present and future. Original granite steps are retained, while the landing is covered with the original black terrazzo with white grains, leading to a checkerboard floor introduced by Viruta Lab.

Interior carpentry was restored and doors were stripped and waxed. The rest of the carpentry was designed for the toilet volumes, with a two-color mosaic tile and an esparto grass ceiling marking the difference in the personal hygiene area. The house also features a rooftop leisure area, with a traditional clay tile floor and a wooden gazebo.

The project maintains the original natural light entrance from 1946, preserving the Mediterranean light that fills the interior. The backyard provides additional ambient light, while the glazed veranda on the upper floor brings in sunlight and sea breezes. The artificial lighting design includes wall lamps for precise illumination, with a 360º rotating lamp to enhance textures and features in the house.

Custom-designed furniture complements the interior, using wood, esparto textile and green fabric for harmony. The green furniture and blue checkerboard mosaic highlight the traditional colors of Valencian architecture.