Bodega Vespucci
El puerto de Santa Maria, Cadiz, Spain
Published on Archdaily, Design Boom, Dwell Mag, Decor Design & Restless Living Vol. 132
The Bodega Vespucci project consists of a transformation of an old wine cellar into a residential loft with three bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom.
Forming a triangle between Seville and the Strait of Gibraltar, the bodega is located in Puerto de Santa María in the Cadiz region and borders the Atlantic Ocean. Due to its ideal and sunny location, the bodega features enough light thanks to its direct connection to an outdoor patio that acts as a big skylight, despite being located in the basement.
The structure exclusively in concrete has been conserved. The idea was to work with the existing space in such a way as to enhance the raw material. The concept of the projet is to maximize the double height and to increase the feeling by hanging a glass box in the middle. To do this, contemporary minimalist elements are discreetly supported on the existing structure. A new volume, a “glass box”, takes place against the existing concrete columns, supported by a new steel structure that gives the impression of being cantilevered and floating in the air. The glazing is composed of invisible profiles to accentuate the minimalist aspect of the project.
This volume holds two of the three bedrooms with private bathrooms. A reinforced HVAC system allows for continuous air renewal.
The access to the glass box is possible thanks to a new concrete staircase. The steps are materialized by rectangular blocks cantilevered against the side wall. They have been fixed in the concrete with steel reinforcing bars. This staircase reinforces the idea of floating elements.
The two bedrooms are served by a rear corridor invisible from the main space.
The kitchen space is located below the glass box and the living room is located in the double-height part (5m high) with direct access to the outside patio and thus benefiting from direct natural light.
The leitmotiv of the project was therefore, that each new intervention is permanent but gives the impression of being floating, thanks to a new structure hidden by the existing one. This element gives the apartment a feeling of lightness, reinforced by the glass materiality, which contrasts with the massive and rough aspect of the concrete.
This project takes place in the REPER complex, the diplomatic headquarters that represents Spain in the capital of Europe, Brussels. The complex was built in the 80’s by the famous Spanish architect Sáenz de Oiza, known for his emblematic achievements such as the Torres Blancas.
The main idea was to create a facade that integrates to some extent the neighboring buildings into the solution. The entrance garden, the heights, the roof shape, the exterior grills and the alignments were marked by the order. On this façade facing Regent Boulevard, four bronze capitals by the artist Capa were placed after a plaster cast by Sáenz de Oíza.
The marble of the shaft of these columns is from Carrara, as is the marble used in the interior; Loja stone from Granada is used on the façades. The cornice of the narrow façade is made of bronze.
REPER has decided, in the context of the European Presidency of 2023, to modernize the interior layout of its premises, simplifying access, while maintaining the remarkable exterior envelope, a heritage witness to the work of Sáenz de Oiza.
The following project is part of the overall renovation and features two floors of office space.