A Madrid apartment in the Malasaña neighborhood now blends early 20th-century charm with bold, contemporary design. The 80-square-meter renovation, named Jesús del Valle, was completed by London and Mallorca-based studio Archive for Space. The firm calls its approach “traditional punk”—rebellious yet romantic, subversive but grounded.
Apartment reflects the neighborhood’s bohemian spirit
The project takes cues from Malasaña, where ornate historic buildings stand alongside vintage shops and late-night bars. Instead of hiding these contrasts, the studio highlighted them, keeping original architectural details while adding modern elements that clash with the apartment’s historic shell.
Restored plaster cornicing, decorative ceiling medallions, and original timber shutters now share space with reflective stainless-steel surfaces and bold red and black accents. The mix creates a layered interior that balances warmth with edge.
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The apartment was designed for a creative couple who travel often. They needed a space that could serve as a home, office, and entertainment area while also accommodating guests. Structural changes were kept to a minimum, but the layout was reconfigured to include two bedrooms, two ensuite bathrooms, and a large statement kitchen within the long, narrow footprint.
Light and materiality shape the space
An early discovery during the renovation revealed original terracotta flooring beneath a layer of carpet. The rich, earthy tones of the restored tiles became the foundation of the apartment’s material palette, shifting in pattern between rooms—checkerboard in the kitchen, geometric diamonds elsewhere.
Natural light plays a key role in the design. Carefully aligned openings and softened thresholds allow light and movement to travel more fluidly throughout the apartment, creating an interior that feels unexpectedly generous despite the compact proportions.
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This method isn’t unique in residential design. Many renovations of historic urban apartments balance preservation with modern updates, but few achieve such deliberate tension between old and new. Most results lean toward sterile minimalism or overly nostalgic imitation. Here, the studio’s approach—accepting imperfection and contrast—produces a more dynamic feel, where the space appears lived-in rather than staged.
Kitchen becomes the apartment’s centerpiece
The kitchen was moved and redesigned as a large statement space. Reflective stainless-steel surfaces and integrated appliances contrast with the apartment’s historic elements.
Design balances history and modernity
The project succeeds by letting contradictions coexist. The apartment doesn’t erase its past; it layers modern updates over the original structure, creating a space that feels both timeless and distinctly tied to its location.