This Spanish Apartment Proves Sage Green is the Perfect Antidote to Chaos
Sayart
sayart2022@gmail.com | 2025-11-05 21:02:33
A 970-square-foot apartment in Logroño, Spain, has been transformed from a chaotic maze of corridors and cramped rooms into a serene showcase of spatial order and aesthetic precision. The stunning renovation, led by architect David Iriondo of DIriondo Studio, demonstrates how the strategic use of sage green can create harmony and balance in a previously dysfunctional living space.
Located in a 1965 building overlooking Gran Vía in central Logroño, the apartment was purchased as a secondary residence but had remained empty and unused for several years. "The housing was in poor condition due to the passage of time," explains David Iriondo. "It had not undergone any renovation or modification since 1965, so its layout had also become obsolete compared to the current lifestyle." The original floor plan epitomized outdated design: a dark entrance hall with no natural light, a long gloomy corridor, three tiny bedrooms, and a kitchen hidden at the back of the unit.
This challenging starting point presented the perfect opportunity for a complete reimagining of the space. "I think this project makes it possible to exploit the maximum potential of the existing space and structure," the architect notes. The goal was clear: transform an apartment with no particular qualities into something conceptual, sophisticated, and creative – three words Iriondo uses to define his vision. Every decision, from ceiling heights to the shine of the enamel finishes, responds to a clear idea of how to inhabit a space that was previously condemned to dysfunction.
The new layout clearly separates day and night zones, creating a more logical flow throughout the apartment. The kitchen, dining room, and living room now share an open space with access to the terrace and views of Gran Vía, while two bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom, face the interior courtyards. Moving the kitchen to the street-facing area required a complete reorganization of the installations but created the desired result: a social space where rooms coexist without hierarchy.
One of the project's biggest challenges involved dealing with the building's structural elements. The original apartment accumulated angles, exposed beams, and false ceilings that fragmented the perception of space. "We had to do important cleaning work, cover and obtain smooth and continuous walls and planes, because they generated a lot of visual noise," Iriondo explains. Rather than hiding large concrete beams, some protruding 50 centimeters, the architect decided to incorporate them into the design. "We decided to incorporate the beams into the design of the new distribution instead of covering them, which allowed us to obtain rooms with ceilings that can reach 270 centimeters in height."
The material choices reinforce this continuous reading of space throughout the apartment. A micro-quartz floor covers the entire house, eliminating joints and baseboards to create a sensation of space and lightness. The ceilings, with a slight shade of glossy enamel, multiply natural light and soften transitions between rooms. "We wanted all spaces to benefit from natural light and be as bright as possible," emphasizes the architect.
The most recognizable chromatic touch of the project is the strategic use of sage green, a subtle but characterful hue applied intelligently without saturation. "We were looking for a color that would complement the other materials we were using: walnut wood, brushed stainless steel, Carrara marble," explains Iriondo. "We considered several colors, and sage green was the one that convinced us. It's a nuanced color: sometimes it seems grayer, sometimes greener, depending on how the light hits it."
This nature-derived color functions as an additional layer in the neutral and mineral palette, providing a chromatic counterpoint that breaks homogeneity and gives meaning to an interior that is sober yet warm. The sage green appears throughout the space in carefully chosen applications, creating visual anchors that guide the eye and establish rhythm within the open-plan design.
Iriondo cites specific influences that define the project's atmosphere: "As a source of inspiration and starting point, we always had in mind very flexible, versatile spaces, with a certain art gallery aesthetic, the minimalism of Donald Judd, etc." This influence is perceived in the affirmed volumes, proportions, and absence of artifice. The apartment feels welcoming precisely because it is so well thought out.
The carefully selected furniture reinforces this intention and reflects the agency's signature style, characterized by the judicious use of carefully chosen elements. Pieces include the Roly Poly chair by Faye Toogood for Driade, the Toio lamp by Flos, Ant chairs by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, and the Semi Pendant lamp by Gubi. In each room, materials dialogue with each other: steel and walnut in the kitchen, Carrara marble in the bathrooms. Everything responds to the same logic: coherence, precision, and serenity.
One of the project's greatest successes is its handling of natural light. Of the original seven windows, only two faced the main facade, yet the new design allows for natural light distribution throughout. The choice of finishes and the opening of space ensure that this initially limited light multiplies or appears to multiply, creating brightness even in areas that don't receive direct sunlight.
The kitchen, with its brushed stainless steel and walnut wood facades, serves as both the functional and visual heart of the space. The dining area flows seamlessly into the living room, while both bedrooms feature en-suite bathrooms designed as wellness and personal care spaces, showcasing the luxury of Carrara marble.
This Logroño apartment stands as proof that thoughtful design can transform even the most challenging spaces into havens of calm and order. The sage green palette, far from being merely decorative, serves as the perfect antidote to the visual chaos that once defined this home, creating a sophisticated sanctuary that balances minimalist principles with warm, livable comfort.
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