Home to designers Matteo Ferrari and Carlota Gallo, Casa Olivar went through a transformation from a ruined building to the warm, minimalist dwelling it is now.
Set in the heart of Madrid in a traditional Madrilenian Corrala building, the two-storey apartment was conceptualised as “a living object in continuous transformation.” During its renovation period it was briefly staged as an atypical exhibition space for a group of Madrid designers before evolving into a home of unique character and narrative. Focus was given to natural light which flows into the rooms in varying intensities, creating different atmospheres shaped by light and shadow.
With a muted palette of white and cream hues, wood accents, unfinished cement walls, tiled floors and gently arched open doorways, Casa Olivar is peppered with a curated roster of furnishings and decorative objects — some, such as the textile pieces or the sculptural kitchen table, designed by Gallo and Ferrari themselves. Its architecture’s traditional lines are complemented by a small but modern kitchen, a mix of found and contemporary furniture, and pendant lighting hanging from the high ceilings. Artisanal accents including a washbasin by Maria Lazaro and a Colombian handwoven hammock add to the personality of the space.
“Casa Olivar is both a house and a place: an intimate space where creativity can evolve, but above all it is a space designed to be enjoyed and shared,” the designers say. “It is a ‘non-urban’ place, a sensorial refuge to reconnect with ourselves, regulate our emotions and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.”
Ferrari and Gallo are architects and product designers respectively, both of them based in Madrid and well-established in their respective fields.
Photography © Asier Rua