Alpes House

This remodeling of a 1950s house with a modular structure of steel columns and reinforced-concrete slabs restores a series of alterations that had wrecked the spatial qualities of the building. To open up the space this intervention inserted metal columns in the place of some load-bearing walls, and some new elements were introduced: a roof terrace, a swimming lane 25 m in length and service areas. Structural elements were altered to comply with current earthquake regulations. The project rescues the modern spirit of the original house but avoids any historical mimicry. The external stonework done by hand contrasts with the smooth internal finishes—oak, stainless steel, concrete and bakelite—creating an atmosphere of spaciousness and sobriety with a particular emphasis on textures and details. The blank walls onto the street, swimming pool and showers were faced with ceramic tiles handmade in Guadalajara. On the upper terrace, various concrete elements with metal supports float above an in situ concrete elements grid.