Cover Casa diseñada por Ramon Esteve en Madrid el salón de doble altura, sofáFreeman y coffee tables Songde mármol Calacatta de RodolfoDordoni, todo para Minotti,butacas de piel verde 637 UtrechtXL de Gerrit Rietveld editadaspor Cassina, mesita Pli de espejode ClassiCon y alfombra amedida Mika de Alfombras KP. Enla pared, a la dcha., escultura deAnish Kapoor y a la izda., pinturasópticas de Marina Apollonio.Una escalera volada ultraligeraconduce a la planta de arriba. AllÃEsteve diseñó una
Casa diseñada por Ramon Esteve en Madrid el salón de doble altura, sofáFreeman y coffee tables Songde mármol Calacatta de RodolfoDordoni, todo para Minotti,butacas de piel verde 637 UtrechtXL de Gerrit Rietveld editadaspor Cassina, mesita Pli de espejode ClassiCon y alfombra amedida Mika de Alfombras KP. Enla pared, a la dcha., escultura deAnish Kapoor y a la izda., pinturasópticas de Marina Apollonio.Una escalera volada ultraligeraconduce a la planta de arriba. AllÃEsteve diseñó una
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With stone and steel, architect Ramón Esteve created a beautiful home in Spain that showcases a family’s enviable art collection. Read our cover story for the February 2021 issue of Tatler Homes Singapore here
The art came first and then the house, so naturally art plays a central role in this exceptional home. Spanish architect Ramón Esteve was appointed by the homeowners, who are avid collectors of Latin American art and wanted to move to Madrid.
Most projects arise from word of mouth or through common contacts or previous clients of the architect, but in this case, the homeowners got to know about Esteve’s firm from international publications. What captivated them about his work was the mastery with which Esteve handles masonry or dry stone, both in its technical aspects and its design. The chosen site was La Finca, one of the most exclusive estates in the Spanish capital.
Above The wood and corten steel structure of the home are reminiscent of holm oak trunks and plant life in the region
The wood and corten steel structure of the home are reminiscent of holm oak trunks and plant life in the region
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The expansive residence measures 3,875sqft in built-up space and is located on a 37,673sqft plot—the goal was to create a home that soaks up the surrounding landscape, while at the same time maintains privacy for the owners. A project three years in the making, this commission involved creating a home for a family as well as a showcase for their art collection. Each space was designed based on the works that were to be installed in it.
Above The outdoor dining area is shielded by a corten steel canopy and features Dedon Tibbo chairs by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby
Above Next to the large window in the living room is the Molteni&C D.153.1 armchair by Gio Ponti and a painting by Chilean hyperrealist artist Claudio Bravo
The outdoor dining area is shielded by a corten steel canopy and features Dedon Tibbo chairs by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby
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“Helped by the collection advisor, we conducted an in-depth study and sketched all the spaces including the works that they would house; some of them, like the mirror by Anish Kapoor in the living room, are very striking,” shares the Valencia-born architect.
Modern and contemporary art are well represented in this home, including a mix of kinetic works and optical art pieces by celebrated names such as Venezuelan artists Jesús Rafael Soto and Carlo Cruz-Diez, as well as the works of Italian artists Marina Apollonio and Pino Manos.
Above A stainless steel sculpture by Colombian artist Ricardo Cardenas greets visitors at the entrance
A stainless steel sculpture by Colombian artist Ricardo Cardenas greets visitors at the entrance
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The architect’s creative imprint is reflected in the design of every project—in this house, it is apparent in the prominent use of stone. “The owners had seen my past works with masonry and asked me to use stone (in this home),” shares the architect. “The combination of stonework, dark wood and corten steel is reminiscent of the hues of the Sierra de Madrid mountains and the holm oak trees.”
Above An artwork by Italian artist Pino Manos takes centre stage in the dining room, which is furnished with the Pukka table by Marlieke Van Rossum and ABI dining chairs by Christophe Delcourt
Above The kitchen features appliances from Gaggenau and Flexform Feel Good bar stools by Antonio Citterio
An artwork by Italian artist Pino Manos takes centre stage in the dining room, which is furnished with the Pukka table by Marlieke Van Rossum and ABI dining chairs by Christophe Delcourt
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Natural stone was applied to the exterior walls and the floor, in a creamy ivory shade. The stone is bush-hammered on the facades and sports a polished finish for the flooring. The tonality of the large longitudinal pool also references the hues of the nearby lake.
“The main idea was to blend the architecture with the landscape, using the characteristic colours of Sierra de Madrid,” explains Esteve. “Therefore, the location is decisive; both regarding the physical sense and the cultural sphere.
Above The Molteni&C D.156.3 armchairs by Gio Ponti and Panna Cotta table by Ron Gilad near the fireplace face artworks by Bernard Aubertin and Jesús Rafael Soto
The Molteni&C D.156.3 armchairs by Gio Ponti and Panna Cotta table by Ron Gilad near the fireplace face artworks by Bernard Aubertin and Jesús Rafael Soto
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The presence of centuries-old holm oaks, scattered throughout the plot, determined the position of the house and its geometry.” He adds: “The need to maintain and enhance the holm oaks scattered around the area was a challenge; I’d like to think that the challenges facing the project became its strengths.”
Above A sink carved from a block of Calatorao stone, designed by architect Ramón Esteve
Above A painting by Venezuelan artist Carlos Cruz-Diez graces the staircase landing
A sink carved from a block of Calatorao stone, designed by architect Ramón Esteve
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The architect started by dividing the house into several “boxes” that were extended by corten steel porches; each module varies in height depending on the room it houses. These extensions also expand the home’s link to its surroundings by forming an expansive terrace. The garden was also designed by the architect in collaboration with landscaper Gustavo Marina.
In the master bathroom, the bespoke bathtub and sinks were produced from solid blocks of Calatorao stone. This space also features an outdoor shower, set against a lush green wall that contrasts with the side walls and floor, which are clad in light stonework.
Above An outdoor shower with a vertical garden creates a tranquil setting in the master bathroom, which also features stone masonry walls, iroko wood exterior detailing and bleached oak cabinetry
An outdoor shower with a vertical garden creates a tranquil setting in the master bathroom, which also features stone masonry walls, iroko wood exterior detailing and bleached oak cabinetry
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“The main challenge was to make the house cosy despite its voluminous size,” says Esteve. The living room is an open-plan, double-height space with a large window that looks out to the garden, allowing the landscape to enter the house. The spacious living area becomes more intimate when the blinds are closed, which also lends privacy by concealing it from the other rooms.
An ultra-light floating staircase with glass handrails leads to the upper floor. An open corridor provides access to the children’s bedrooms. Two other adjacent rooms feature a fish-tank effect, where you can peer into these spaces from the corridor—these areas serve as TV room and game room.
Above A striking bookcase by Violeta Lekutanoy adds a graphic edge to the study, which features the Poltrona Frau H_O Desk by Claudio Silvestrin and Cassina 140 Cotone armchair by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec
Above A custom-made bleached oak bed holds court in the master bedroom
A striking bookcase by Violeta Lekutanoy adds a graphic edge to the study, which features the Poltrona Frau H_O Desk by Claudio Silvestrin and Cassina 140 Cotone armchair by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec
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Above In the garage, an abstract wall mural by street artist Remi Rough is playfully paired with sculptures from the Drip Drop Plop series by American artist Fred Wilson
In the garage, an abstract wall mural by street artist Remi Rough is playfully paired with sculptures from the Drip Drop Plop series by American artist Fred Wilson
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Art is everywhere in this house—even in the main bathroom and the garage, where murals by London-based street artist Remi Rough adorn the walls. All in all, the home is the curated universe of collectors who seek to live surrounded by beauty in every corner.
This story was first published in the February 2021 issue of Tatler Homes Singapore, available with our compliments on Magzter.
Above The February 2021 issue of Tatler Homes Singapore
The February 2021 issue of Tatler Homes Singapore
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Credits
Photography: Daniel Schäfer
Production: Cristina Giménez
