elii has designed the renovation of this house in downtown Madrid, seems to that architects had fun when they were projecting it. Diaphanous, mobile panels and secret trap doors give an original character to this space or these spaces that are generated according to the intention of the user. We hope you enjoy watching video and photographs.

Memory of project

The scope of the project covers the development of a customised functional proposal for a user that is turning a new leaf to the rehabilitation of the structure, the insulation, the facilities and the modernisation of the existing construction systems.

The selected approach removes all obstacles from the floor to provide the greatest possible flexibility. Two basic elements are used: firstly, the central core, comprising the staircase, some shelves and the larder. The core is at the centre of the main space under the mansard roof. It connects the access floor and the space under the roof and allows the natural lighting to come through the roof into the living room. Secondly, there are two side strips for the functional elements (kitchen, bathroom, storage space and domestic appliances).

This basic arrangement is complemented by two strategies that provide flexibility to the domestic spaces:

Firstly, the moving panels are integrated into the core and run along guide rails. These panels can be used to create different arrangements, such as adding an extra room for a guest, separating the kitchen from the living room area or opening the whole floor for a party. The panels have transparent sections so that the natural lighting coming through the mansard roof can reach this space.

Secondly, the secret trap doors are integrated into the ceiling of the access floor and into the floor of the mezzanine and that house the rest of the domestic functions. The ceiling doors are opened with handles fitted on the walls. These handles actuate pulleys that lower parts of the furniture (such as tables and picnic benches, a swing or the hammock) or some complementary functions and objects (such as the disco ball, the fans to chill out on the hammock or an extra shelf for the guest room). In addition, the floor of the space under the roof has a series of invisible doors that can be opened to alter the functionality of the raised space where the bedroom area is (these spaces house the dressing table, the tea room and the storage spaces for the bathroom).

All these elements are integrated within the floor and the ceiling and they appear and disappear at the user’s whim. The secret trap doors and the sliding panels compliment the basic configuration, fit the needs of the moment and provide different home layout combinations.

Text.- Uriel Fogué + Eva Gil + Carlos Palacios.

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Architects
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elii. Uriel Fogué + Eva Gil + Carlos Palacios.
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Project Team
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María Sole Ferragamo, Miguel Galán, Pablo Martín de la Cruz; Inmaculada Mariscal, Leonor Acero (models).

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Promoter / Client
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Dido Fogué.
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Contractor
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Dionisio Torralba Construcciones.
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Area
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57,60 m².
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Dates
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July 2013 (finalization), january 2013 (starting construction).
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Location
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Madrid, Spain.
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Photography
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elii is an architecture practice founded in Madrid in 2006 by Uriel Fogué, Eva Gil, and Carlos Palacios. Their professional practice extends to teaching (Madrid School of Architecture, ETSAM; Columbia University in the City of New York, GSAPP; École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, EPFL) and research. elii participated in the Spanish Pavilion at the 18th (2023) and 15th Venice Architecture Biennales (2016, the latter awarded the Golden Lion). They were invited to participate in the 24th Milan Triennale International Exhibition (2025). Two of their projects have been shortlisted for the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture: the Mies van der Rohe Award (2015, 2019). They were recognized, among others, with the Casa de la Arquitectura Award in the ES_INNOVACIÖN category and the ALDES Award for the best project in sustainability, decarbonization, or greater self-generation of energy in a building, Rebuild (with Husos, 2026); the Holcim Awards Gold Award 2023 (with Husos and Ultrazul, sponsored by the Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation). First Prize COAM (2017) and COAM Award (2018, 2016, 2013, 2011, 2006). FAD Ephemeral Interventions Award (2020). FAD Opinion Award (2005) and Finalist and Selected for the FAD Award (2023 and 2017; and 2020 and 2018, respectively). Their work Yojigen Poketto was selected as one of the 20 visionary domestic spaces of the last 100 years in the exhibition 'Home Stories 100 Years, 20 Visionary Interiors', at the Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein (2020). They are authors of the books: 'Super Petites Maisons' (EPFL, 2022), 'Traspasar los límites' (CentroCentro, 2020), 'What is Home Without a Mother' (HIAP – Matadero Madrid, 2015), awarded at the XIII Spanish Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism 2015, and co-editors of the publication UHF, included in the Archive of Creators of Madrid.
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Published on: November 26, 2013
Cite:
metalocus, SERGIO CIDONCHA
"Didomestic by elii" METALOCUS. Accessed
<http://www.metalocus.es/en/news/didomestic-elii> ISSN 1139-6415
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