Topo’s Shed by Pía Mendaro
Topo’s Shed recently completed by Pía Mendaro, is an inspiring industrial loft located in Madrid, Spain.
About Topo’s Shed
An Artist’s Quirky Abode: From Warehouse to Wonder
Meet Clara Cebrian, an artist with a taste for the unconventional. Instead of lavish designs, she longs for simplicity reminiscent of Ron Weasley’s whimsical home. She yearns for a space adaptable to life’s ever-changing needs.
Laying the Foundations of ‘Almost Nothing’
Our challenge? Transforming a 10x10m (32.8×32.8ft) warehouse. Boasting a gable roof supported by two steel rafters, its facade is simple: two windows and a door. For her concept of ‘almost nothing’ to morph into ‘almost anything’, flexibility was paramount.
We held three unwavering convictions:
1. Preserve the warehouse’s intrinsic squareness.
2. Incorporate a pre-purchased kitchen Clara had snagged on sale.
3. Work around fixed downspouts.
Mastering the Art of Subtle Spaces
Our solution? A clever ‘covert wall’. This strategic placement served dual purposes. Firstly, it housed Clara’s kitchen—a space universally loved. Behind this facade, we discreetly tucked away the bathroom and other facilities. By situating this wall beneath the trusses’ belt, the warehouse’s essence remains undisturbed. Moreover, it wisely sidesteps doors that might intrude upon the main space.
Redefining Rest: The Suspended Bed
As for Clara’s slumber spot, ideas abounded. Wheeled beds, quaint cabins, and windowed boxes all crossed our minds. However, a breakthrough occurred when we chose elevation. We introduced a horizon inside the warehouse, crafting a vital connection to the outside—a nod to well-being.
The standout feature? A near-weightless, semi-suspended platform, subtly raising the roof. Teaming up with Manuel Ocaña, we engineered it using 20mm (0.79in) steel rounds and 8mm (0.31in) tensioned corrugated rods. Designed to hold up to five individuals, we complemented it with a concealable wheeled ladder, epitomizing minimalist living.
Photography courtesy of Pía Mendaro
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- by Matt Watts
