Houzz Tours
Seville Houzz: A Stunning Sustainable Renovation in Spain
Eco-friendly choices meet architectural flourishes, such as a glazed three-storey lightwell and sculptural spiral stairs
The owners of this home in the heart of the historical city centre of Seville, Spain, asked the architects at EovaStudio to split the building into two apartments and add a third storey. This allowed them to rent out the ground floor, with their family home spreading over two storeys above. All this, while preserving as much as possible of the building fabric, formed the crux of the brief.
The sustainably-minded project also focused on materials with a low environmental footprint, such as timber, natural lime mortars and hydraulic tiles. The result? A warm and inviting space centred on several unique and eye-catching architectural features.
The sustainably-minded project also focused on materials with a low environmental footprint, such as timber, natural lime mortars and hydraulic tiles. The result? A warm and inviting space centred on several unique and eye-catching architectural features.
The project before works.
“The home was completely dilapidated except for the facade and the wooden first floor, which could be restored. The restoration and extension took 15 months,” says Marta Gómez, partner and founder of EovaStudio. The reason the renovation took so long is that one of the floors was expanded, taking advantage of the roof. Its original state can be seen in the previous photo.
“The home was completely dilapidated except for the facade and the wooden first floor, which could be restored. The restoration and extension took 15 months,” says Marta Gómez, partner and founder of EovaStudio. The reason the renovation took so long is that one of the floors was expanded, taking advantage of the roof. Its original state can be seen in the previous photo.
A 3D render of the project
The project after works.
The architects restored many original features, and worked “with a unique geometry to efficiently address the client’s requirements,” says Gómez.
How do you regulate interior temperature in a home in hot Seville that’s flooded with natural light? “We installed a motorised awning over the skylight, which blocks the sun from shining through in the hot months,” says the architect.
In any case, as the home stands between two other attached properties, it has no windows on either side, so less light shines through than what might have otherwise in a detached property.
The architects restored many original features, and worked “with a unique geometry to efficiently address the client’s requirements,” says Gómez.
How do you regulate interior temperature in a home in hot Seville that’s flooded with natural light? “We installed a motorised awning over the skylight, which blocks the sun from shining through in the hot months,” says the architect.
In any case, as the home stands between two other attached properties, it has no windows on either side, so less light shines through than what might have otherwise in a detached property.
The natural oak floor stands out in the new upper level. “We chose this floor not only for its warmth, but because we wanted all the materials in the house to be natural and environmentally friendly,” says Gómez.
She selected the furniture in collaboration with the owners, but “many of the pieces, such as cabinets, shelves, kitchen, etc, are custom-made based on our design by a specialised joiner,” she says.
She selected the furniture in collaboration with the owners, but “many of the pieces, such as cabinets, shelves, kitchen, etc, are custom-made based on our design by a specialised joiner,” she says.
The kitchen is made out of oak plywood panels, paired with natural basalt stone benchtops with a matt coating. The splashback features handmade glazed ceramic tiles. The black ceramic floor tiles contrast nicely with the oak of the kitchen cabinets.
Browse more kitchens with pale timber cabinetry
Browse more kitchens with pale timber cabinetry
The locally-sourced ceramics are not the home’s only sustainable solutions. “A heat pump for cold-hot air conditioning was installed, in addition to photovoltaic panels on the roof. There is ventilation in all of the spaces,” says Gómez.
The new second-floor plan.
This floor plan shows the layout of the new top level and the location of the staircase and internal courtyard.
This floor plan shows the layout of the new top level and the location of the staircase and internal courtyard.
The project before works.
The staircase and the enclosed courtyard are the two stand-out features in the home.
“It was actually an incredibly complex project, especially the inner courtyard, since it is formed by two curved glass panels on each floor with dimensions close to the maximum possible size. However, this was necessary in order to realise the full potential of the home and to properly connect all rooms,” says Gómez.
The staircase and the enclosed courtyard are the two stand-out features in the home.
“It was actually an incredibly complex project, especially the inner courtyard, since it is formed by two curved glass panels on each floor with dimensions close to the maximum possible size. However, this was necessary in order to realise the full potential of the home and to properly connect all rooms,” says Gómez.
The project after works.
The glass-enclosed central courtyard connects all of the floors by allowing the light to flow through every surrounding space.
The glass-enclosed central courtyard connects all of the floors by allowing the light to flow through every surrounding space.
The project after works.
“The staircase is made of oak suspended from the top storey on a metal frame,” says Gómez.
“The staircase is made of oak suspended from the top storey on a metal frame,” says Gómez.
Most of the bedroom furniture was custom-made in natural timber.
This is the family bathroom on the first floor.
“The three main materials used in this project are oak, natural lime mortar and glass. We wanted the materials to have a low environmental footprint, to age well and to be easy to handle for a well-crafted and personalised result,” says Gómez.
“The three main materials used in this project are oak, natural lime mortar and glass. We wanted the materials to have a low environmental footprint, to age well and to be easy to handle for a well-crafted and personalised result,” says Gómez.
“We really like the interstitial space on the first floor, where the suspended staircase, the courtyard and circular walls intersect. It showcases the essence of the project,” says Gómez.
Pictured here is the entrance to the enclosed courtyard on the ground floor, where the guest/rental apartment is located. This space can only be accessed through the rental and is available for the tenants’ use.
Heritage conservation rules prevented the team from changing the facade of the listed 1930s building.
Your turn
Which of these rooms is your favourite? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the renovation conversation.
More
Missed our previous Houzz Tour? Catch up here with this beautiful Bilbao Houzz: Open-Plan Grandeur in a Spanish Apartment
Your turn
Which of these rooms is your favourite? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the renovation conversation.
More
Missed our previous Houzz Tour? Catch up here with this beautiful Bilbao Houzz: Open-Plan Grandeur in a Spanish Apartment
House at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple with two children
Location: Seville, Spain
Size: Each storey is 70 square metres, with an additional 30 square metres in the third-floor terrace
Designer: EovaStudio
The owners enjoy spending most of their time in the new upper level, pictured here, because it is the brightest space in the home. It includes the kitchen, living room and an outdoor terrace, which the family enjoy daily.
Thinking of renovating? Find an architect near you on Houzz, browse images of their work and read reviews from previous clients