Designed by Ábaton, the El Escorial Renovation is a comprehensive overhaul of a 1976 house in Madrid, Spain. Situated amid the dense forest of Mount Abantos, the project focuses on sustainability and energy efficiency, utilizing modern technologies and materials. The design prioritizes the connection with the surrounding environment, incorporating large windows for natural light and integrating as much of the original structure as possible. The renovation encourages family interaction, linking indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly.
Designed by Ábaton, El Escorial Renovation is a comprehensive renovation project. Located in Madrid, Spain, the project is almost 30 years after Ábaton’s first undertakings and represents a renewed commitment to sustainability, responsibility, and innovation. Situated amid the dense forest of Mount Abantos, the home offers impressive views of the Monastery of El Escorial.
For Ábaton, renovations are seen as a respect for existing structures and territories. The approach minimizes waste from large-scale demolitions while enhancing the energy efficiency of the original building. This is accomplished through the use of state-of-the-art technologies and materials, aiming to produce an updated and sustainable result with minimal environmental impact.
The old house dated back to 1976 and was designed according to architectural standards very different from today’s. Small windows hindered the full exploitation of privileged views, resulting in a dark, heavily compartmentalized home with low ceiling heights. With this renovation, Ábaton sought to highlight the interesting elements of the house and prioritize its essence and personality.
A key aspect of the sustainable approach was preserving as many elements of the original structure as possible. This not only minimized construction impact but also maintained the essence and history of the home. The architectural design aimed to create a connection with the environment and light. A new location for the living room was proposed, acting as a central gathering place for the family. Elevated on a large granite rock, this space differentiates itself from the original with its geometry, providing a coherent contrast.
The living room’s elevated position ensures it is enveloped in light and nature through large south and east-facing windows. These features blur the boundaries between inside and outside, creating a corner immersed in vegetation with views of the forest horizon.
Connected to the living room are the kitchen, dining spaces, lounge, and study, forming a large common area for family interaction. Ábaton took advantage of a pre-existing floor slab by replacing the roof, achieving greater ceiling height and adding a large skylight for southern light. Separated by a large steel fireplace, the kitchen and dining area open up through a triple sliding door, merging with the exterior terrace.
Preservation of original elements, like the living room ceiling, which is lower than renovated areas, gives spaces distinctive sensations with an intimate character. Both the living and dining rooms extend outward via a porch that serves as a lookout over the plot and the horizon. A large magnolia tree presides over the main elevation, providing shade during warmer months.
The terraces connect to the pool at a lower level through an exterior staircase that adapts to the existing rock, merging the home with the terrain’s topography. The main entrance, framed with glass penetrating the granite of the old facade, serves as a link between past and present.
Windows with southern orientation were added to improve natural light on the upper floor, housing the master bedroom with views of El Escorial. Access to the living room’s roof creates another outdoor living area, functioning as a vantage point for reflection and connection with the environment.
The chosen construction system for the new structure was a timber frame, selected for its lightness and quick execution. Following this, Ábaton insulated all the facades for better energy efficiency. Orientation and space distribution were guided by sustainability goals, aiming for the most efficient relationship with natural lighting. An aerothermal system was also added, ensuring the use of natural and renewable energy with maximum efficiency.
