{"id":2679,"date":"2025-06-02T01:29:54","date_gmt":"2025-06-01T17:29:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/homeofmaterials.com\/2025\/06\/02\/a-hypnotic-optical-effect-two-spanish-architects-pattern-a-1946-fishermans-house-in-blue-and-white-checks\/"},"modified":"2025-06-02T01:29:54","modified_gmt":"2025-06-01T17:29:54","slug":"a-hypnotic-optical-effect-two-spanish-architects-pattern-a-1946-fishermans-house-in-blue-and-white-checks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/homeofmaterials.com\/th\/a-hypnotic-optical-effect-two-spanish-architects-pattern-a-1946-fishermans-house-in-blue-and-white-checks\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201c\u0e40\u0e2d\u0e1f\u0e40\u0e1f\u0e01\u0e15\u0e4c\u0e20\u0e32\u0e1e\u0e25\u0e27\u0e07\u0e15\u0e32\u0e41\u0e1a\u0e1a\u0e2a\u0e30\u0e01\u0e14\u0e08\u0e34\u0e15\u201d: \u0e2a\u0e16\u0e32\u0e1b\u0e19\u0e34\u0e01\u0e0a\u0e32\u0e27\u0e2a\u0e40\u0e1b\u0e19\u0e2a\u0e2d\u0e07\u0e04\u0e19\u0e2d\u0e2d\u0e01\u0e41\u0e1a\u0e1a\u0e25\u0e27\u0e14\u0e25\u0e32\u0e22\u0e15\u0e32\u0e23\u0e32\u0e07\u0e2a\u0e35\u0e19\u0e49\u0e33\u0e40\u0e07\u0e34\u0e19-\u0e02\u0e32\u0e27\u0e43\u0e2b\u0e49\u0e01\u0e31\u0e1a\u0e1a\u0e49\u0e32\u0e19\u0e0a\u0e32\u0e27\u0e1b\u0e23\u0e30\u0e21\u0e07\u0e1b\u0e35 1946"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Currently surfacing all over, the checkerboard is the motif of the moment: see Trend Alert and Checks, Please. We\u2019ve been admiring the many ways the design classic is being put to fresh use. Case in point: this 1946 dwelling in Valencia, Spain, which originally belonged to the current owner\u2019s grandparents. Tasked with reviving the humble two-story house, architects Mari\u0301a Daroz and David Puerta of Viruta Lab lovingly restored the soul of the place while lending it coherency and punch via a marine-blue-and-white tiled thruway from entryway to inner sanctum.<\/p>\n

Daroz and Puerta explain that they set out to \u201cpreserve the memories embedded within the spaces for the third generation to enjoy,\u201d while also applying \u201ctraditional materials used since the 1920s to give the entire space a new look inspired by sea and salt.\u201d It adds up to a whole of lot of repeating checks\u2014and we love the effect. See what you think.<\/p>\n

Photography by David Zarzoso, courtesy of Viruta Lab (@virutalab).<\/p>\n


Above: The 85-square-meter (approximately 914-square-foot) house is in Valencia\u2019s seaside neighborhood El Cabanyal and is a traditional fisherman\u2019s abode (the owner\u2019s grandfather draped his nets on the fa\u00e7ade to dry them). It had fallen into a state of ruin when the architects were called in. Understanding the \u201cgreat sentimental value\u201d the structure held for their client, they set out to honor the original while giving it a stately new guise. The checks were inspired by the tilework on houses in the neighborhood: \u201cfrom 1875 onwards, Cabanyal experienced an explosion of this geometric-shaped ceramic material that is still part of the popular imaginary of the neighborhood,\u201d write the architects. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe house is a family legacy and the image the owners have of it is very deep,\u201d they continue, \u201cso it was necessary for any intervention to be as respectful as possible and in a language they understand and take as their own.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Above: In every room newly exposed original brick and restored moldings meet contemporary millwork and blue-and-white porcelain tiles. Of the repeating checkerboards, the architects explain: \u201cThis design provides a hypnotic optical effect that maximizes the spaces and is presented as a differentiating, traditional element with its own atmosphere.\u201d
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Above: The tiles\u2014supplied by Hisbalit of Spain\u2014carpet the floors and rise to form a wainscot that extends here into the powder room (the architects describe it as \u201ca large wooden box that structures the space and works as a container for
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the toilet, which is hidden inside\u201d). The woodwork is European oak stained to match the walnut of the original doors.
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Above:The small living area off the entry is adjacent to the kitchen. The glass back doors lead to a small courtyard and provide cross ventilation. A Jorge Pensi Tero Double table is surrounded by Viruta Lab-designed metal and wood benches. The custom backrest is woven esparto grass, another local material.,

Above: Continuing the subtle seaside theme, all of the upholstery is in green with blue accents. The sofa bed is the Due from Belta & Frajumar. The Elena Castano Mandarina cushions \u201cborrow sewing techniques from lingerie.\u201d
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Above: The materials palette continues upstairs where the two bedrooms share a bathroom in the middle. The black porcelain light switches are Fontini\u2019s Garby design.
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Above: The house was initially stripped down to its skeleton: the brick was uncovered under peeling paint and the restored moldings accentuate the tall ceilings. The architects describe their work as \u201creinterpreting the original interior design and adapting it to the needs of today.\u201d
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Above: Woven esparto grass resurfaces here as a headboard set in the checkerboard. The Mandarina cushions are by Sanca. The side tables are Viruta Lab designs. ,
Ab0ve: The bathroom\u2019s stained oak millwork evokes an old apothecary\u2014with a checked twist. The architects describe the design as \u201ca central core: a complete closed toilet in the form of a wooden box with an
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outdoor sink area that serves as an island.\u201d
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Above: The sink is the Space basin from Nuovvo.
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Above: The roof has a dining gazebo, newly paved with traditional terracotta tile. Note the subtle departure here from checks to stripes in blue and white.
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Above: Mari\u0301a Daroz and David Puerta of Viruta Lab are based in Valencia and specialize in architectural heritage conservation. <\/p>\n

Here are three more standout projects from Spain:<\/p>\n