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Houzz Tour: A Colourful Flat Perfectly Tailored to its Owner
A retired homeowner turned to an architect known for his bold use of colour to create this joyful pied-à-terre
According to architect Gonzalo Pardo, in today’s world, living alone “is a symptom of a new social construct, typical of advanced cultures, which has an impact on how we view the concept of home.” Gonzalo is convinced that residential architecture is a distinct domain of his profession. He approaches it in a fun and provocative way, with a playful interpretation of colour, expertly using hues with clear intention. He’s also sure to listen to the needs of the client while meticulously leading the process.
The first time Dany and Gonzalo met, she told him that she likes to get together with her two adult children (“a girl and a guy,” she clarifies) and that she wanted “a space where she could host them”. Dany also wanted a small kitchen so she’d be able to have her friends over for tapas.
With a great kitchen and a blue cupboard that wraps around the small space, this pied-à-terre is completely tailored to her needs. A place to enjoy life, tapas with her friends and the company of her children, but also time to herself. A flat à la Gonzalo Pardo.
With a great kitchen and a blue cupboard that wraps around the small space, this pied-à-terre is completely tailored to her needs. A place to enjoy life, tapas with her friends and the company of her children, but also time to herself. A flat à la Gonzalo Pardo.
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As noted, colour was the key to Gonzalo’s approach to this project.
“You can’t get enough of colour,” he says. “It’s a low-budget resource that brings very good results. In this case, the owner was very clear that the colour she wanted was [RAL 5005 blue].”
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“You can’t get enough of colour,” he says. “It’s a low-budget resource that brings very good results. In this case, the owner was very clear that the colour she wanted was [RAL 5005 blue].”
Feeling inspired? Find an architect on Houzz today.
“In Spain, we’re boring in our use of colour – especially us architects,” Gonzalo says. He points out that when they opt for a colour in a studio project, they take the space into account. “A light colour in a dark interior elevates the space,” he says.
“Sometimes, colour is also an act of provocation,” he continues, citing Carlos Cruz-Diez, Olafur Eliasson, Josef Albers or Barragán as some of his many artistic references.
“Sometimes, colour is also an act of provocation,” he continues, citing Carlos Cruz-Diez, Olafur Eliasson, Josef Albers or Barragán as some of his many artistic references.
RAL 5005 – a blue like the one on Spanish traffic signs – is certainly eye-catching and it transforms the full-height cupboard, which extends from the kitchen to the living area, into an attractive feature. But it’s principally about functional design. Gonzalo is of the opinion that everything should have its place and that “if you manage this, the home will be a success”.
“The blue box is the storage system of the house; both its heart and its soul,” he says. It draws attention, but it’s also full of surprises. The biggest one is that it hides the home’s bathroom. “It’s a stunning space,” says the owner. It also provides generous storage – it’s where kitchen appliances and a large wardrobe are hidden.
The surprises don’t end there, however. The mirror just to the right of the entrance is actually the door to the bedroom. There’s also another large mirror in the kitchen. “The mirrors in Dany’s house are doors to other spaces and with them, we sought to double the light and the sense of space and create drama,” Gonzalo says.
The surprises don’t end there, however. The mirror just to the right of the entrance is actually the door to the bedroom. There’s also another large mirror in the kitchen. “The mirrors in Dany’s house are doors to other spaces and with them, we sought to double the light and the sense of space and create drama,” Gonzalo says.
It’s also worth noting the lighting setup, with lamps such as the TMC by Miguel Milá for Santa and Cole; the classic PH5 pendant by Louis Poulsen in the living room; or the red sconces by Charlotte Perriand, produced by Nemo. The storage unit is underscored with LED lighting, “close to it, but without touching it”, to define and highlight its size.
As mentioned earlier, Gonzalo listens to the client and leads the project meticulously. “Dany is a born negotiator,” he says. “To convince her of each solution, we had to make many drawings and invest a lot of time in talking to her.
“But she listened to our advice and was on board with every choice we made,” he continues. “The bathroom window, for example, was a solution that she really liked. We installed smart film, which is opaque when on and transparent when off.”
“But she listened to our advice and was on board with every choice we made,” he continues. “The bathroom window, for example, was a solution that she really liked. We installed smart film, which is opaque when on and transparent when off.”
The blue box in the centre of the flat is the protagonist of the floor plan.
Perhaps one could argue that Gonzalo’s architecture only works in small spaces. “I don’t agree,” he says. “It’s more difficult to make a small house than a big one. We’re now designing one that’s 500 square metres, and there are many concepts used in this flat that also work in larger spaces.”
Perhaps one could argue that Gonzalo’s architecture only works in small spaces. “I don’t agree,” he says. “It’s more difficult to make a small house than a big one. We’re now designing one that’s 500 square metres, and there are many concepts used in this flat that also work in larger spaces.”
In general, he acknowledges his obsession with spatial sequences and colour. He breaks down his understanding of the domestic space, and his priorities when executing a project, into four basic points: “The kitchen as the centre of the home; the de-hierarchisation of spaces; the separate bathroom and the nameless rooms – that is, spaces that are capable of serving multiple purposes and which rise to the requirements of circumstance.”
At a time when we seem to have forgotten about the joy of living and that our homes should be a place for relaxation, Gonzalo’s designs are only for those who want to squeeze every ounce of enjoyment out of their home.
Tell us…
What appeals to you about this colourful home? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
At a time when we seem to have forgotten about the joy of living and that our homes should be a place for relaxation, Gonzalo’s designs are only for those who want to squeeze every ounce of enjoyment out of their home.
Tell us…
What appeals to you about this colourful home? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Who lives here? Dany Fontaine, who headed the French division of an international company but is now retired
Location Callao, Madrid, Spain
Size 40 sq m
Budget €1,200 (around £1,013) per sq m
Architect Gonzalo Pardo of Gon architects
Photos by Imagen Subliminal (Miguel de Guzmán + Rocío Romero)
Dany Fontaine, the flat’s retired owner, found Gonzalo’s professional profile on Houzz and sent him a message through the platform. “I came across Gonzalo’s Houzz profile by searching for ‘architects in Madrid’ on Google,” Dany says. What does she like most about the platform? “Seeing so many inspirational photos.”