Architect José Costa and his team have renovated a historic old house located in the Nazaret neighborhood of Valencia, Spain, a bustling area near the city's port.

The transformation of the house is the result of the owner's aspirations and the enhancement of the original features, creating a rich interior and exterior environment with a vibrant spatial and visual character.

"Casa del filósofo" designed by architect José Costa, is a two-story dwelling with a loft. The house boasts a practical and efficient layout, comprising a yoga studio, a library with a large collection of books, a study, a loft, a terrace, a bedroom, a bathroom, and an outdoor patio.

During its construction, some of the existing paintwork was preserved and transformed into artwork for the new space. Structural reinforcements were added to the roof, which also serve as decorative elements. New textures were created on the walls and floors using existing materials, and the woodwork was restored.

"Casa del filósofo" by José Costa. Photograph by Mariela Apollonio.

"Casa del filósofo" by José Costa. Photograph by Mariela Apollonio. 

Project description by José Costa

The house emerged from the confluence of the client's desires and the history of the pre-existing building, which had been abandoned and boarded up for many years.

The continuous and fluid dialogue with the client allowed us to collaboratively create a series of interconnected spaces, both interior and exterior, with a rich visual appeal that is both inspiring and welcoming.

Casa del filósofo por José Costa. Fotografía por Mariela Apollonio.
"Casa del filósofo" by José Costa. Photograph by Mariela Apollonio.

A patio for gatherings with friends. A library that houses a large collection of books. A room for practicing yoga. A home where the two lively dogs run and play. A study for writing and thinking. A loft that can accommodate one or two guests or be used for playing music. A terrace for sunbathing.

A bedroom that also serves as a home theater. A bathroom that also functions as a dressing room. A staircase that doubles as a closet. A floor bathed in light. Remnants of pre-existing paintings transformed into works of art. Structural reinforcements that adorn and enrich the ceilings. Brick walls that reveal the history and soul of the building. A red staircase that will gradually blend into the ever-increasing vegetation.

Casa del filósofo por José Costa. Fotografía por Mariela Apollonio.
"Casa del filósofo" by José Costa. Photograph by Mariela Apollonio.

The hydraulic tiles are reused and repositioned. The doors are restored and transformed. New textures are created from the old, and everything is bathed in magnificent natural light.

The house reopens to the city and takes on a new life. Another one.

More information

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Architects
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José Costa Arq. Lead architect.- José Costa.

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Project team
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Ana Aguado, Victoria Recio, Belén de las Heras, Patricia Barber.

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Collaborators
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Technical architect.- Salvador Tomás.

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Dates
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2021-2025.

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Location
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Valencia, Spain.

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Photography
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Jose Costa Arq. is an architecture studio based in Valencia. The firm articulates a series of professionals with a common ambition: to make through architecture a better place to live.

Focusing mainly on the residential, cultural and administrative area, it explores the limits of each project through a simple recipe: passion, effectiveness, creativity, sensitivity, research, recycling, commitment, observation, intuition, criticism, poetry, dynamism, integration and a dose of important fun.

Jose Costa (Alzira, Valencia, June 11, 1978) studied at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, obtaining the title of architect in 2004. Obtaining the same year of the 1st prize in the IVVSA national draft competition in its 5th edition, for the construction of a building with 42 homes for young people in Benidorm, marks the beginning of the first Spanish stage.

In 2011, he moved to Rio de Janeiro, a city that would be the main studio headquarters until the end of 2014. There, he founded the creative space "The House", a multidisciplinary extension of the studio that will allow him to experiment and develop connections: ARCHITECTURE - ART - DESIGN - EDUCATION. After four intense years in Brazil, he returns to Valencia, where he continues developing architectural, social, and artistic projects, both from his own studio and from the Enredant artistic collective of which he is co-founder.
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Published on: November 5, 2025
Cite:
metalocus, CAMILA DOYLET
"New life. "Casa del filósofo" by José Costa" METALOCUS. Accessed
<http://www.metalocus.es/en/news/new-life-casa-del-filosofo-jose-costa> ISSN 1139-6415
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