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.