Bilbao Apartment Renovation Blends Historic Charm with Modern Geometry
In Bilbao's Segundo Ensanche neighborhood, a midcentury apartment was renovated by the Donezar Lara studio for a young family. The architects preserved original features like woodwork, green Macael marble, and herringbone parquet while adding geometric flourishes inspired by Italian architect Luigi Caccia Dominioni. The renovation aimed to restore the home's essence and adapt it to contemporary living.
The Segundo Ensanche district where the apartment sits was largely built during the first half of the 20th century, making it a notable example of Bilbao's residential architectural history. The renovation team initially planned to remove all internal walls, but discovering intact herringbone parquet beneath wall-to-wall carpeting prompted them to preserve the original floor plan instead. The 1960s layout featured a kitchen with a separate entrance and rooms branching from a long hallway.
The architects converted the principal bedroom into a laundry room and the service entrance into a bathroom, while designing custom elements including a stained-oak dining table and hardware for sliding glass doors. Their decorative approach drew from Italian architect Luigi Caccia Dominioni's 1960s Milan apartment, visible in geometric flourishes throughout. Vintage pieces from various eras, including a 20th-century Japanese copper vase, complement the restored midcentury features.
This renovation could influence how homeowners and architects approach aging midcentury properties in European cities, demonstrating that preservation and modern adaptation need not conflict. By prioritizing original materials like parquet and marble over wholesale demolition, the project may encourage more sustainable renovation practices. It also highlights a growing market interest in historically sensitive design, potentially affecting how real estate values are assessed for properties with intact period features.