La Caja Mágica

decoration project

The Magic Box - 2024

Lourdes Sendagorta shares with us firsthand details of this very special project.

"I am pleased to share the photos of the latest project we have delivered, which looks like this thanks to the magic of Santiago G. Barros's lens. The challenge was enormous, as we had to create a comfortable, functional, and beautiful home without knowing who would live in it."

To do this, we base the project on 5 pillars.

A space that looks inward, towards its own interior landscape.
A place that is experienced one way by day and another by night.
An “equipped” envelope, ready to live in.
A box that hides inside another box.
A space where nothing is what it seems.

Look inward

We opted to forgo the views to create an interior landscape, building a sanctuary full of character and personality. The use of frosted glass on the windows facilitates the entry of light while allowing for softening and visual control. Its use has allowed us to create a balance between the need for a light-filled home and the pursuit of a private retreat.

Day mode vs. night mode

A changing space with two ways of functioning. Rooms bathed in light to carry out daytime activities and indirect lighting that builds a warm, intimate, and welcoming atmosphere for the evening. According to our preliminary research, changes in light temperature throughout the day are essential for supporting the circadian rhythm. By replicating these changes with artificial light in a home, we believe that significant benefits for health and well-being can be achieved. In this project, we have used the lighting resource of integrating several skylights with a cool temperature into existing windows in the home. These hidden skylights allow for the sensation of natural light to be expanded throughout the home in a highly integrated and concealed way. Cool, high-intensity light is ideal for moments when concentration and mental performance are needed, such as during work or study. Conversely, we have remained faithful to our always very firm commitment to the use of indirect, warm light, which helps reduce stress, encourages relaxation, and can improve emotional well-being.

Move-in ready home

We added built-in furniture around the perimeter of the house to make the most of the space. Walls equipped with storage that require minimal investment when moving in. A piece of furniture that runs through the entire space, taking advantage of the ceiling height. This has allowed us to elegantly house everything necessary. Appliances, a library and TV area, and large-capacity cabinets. Without a doubt, one of the house's greatest strengths, which we believe provides a great sense of visual order.

Box that hides inside another box

A central volume dominates the space. An apparently closed box hides the most intimate areas of the house. This box, which arose from considering the best solution to integrate all the installations into the space without sacrificing the existing ceiling height, has very quickly become the protagonist element. "Color block," using a more intense color on the entire exterior and a neutral color palette inside the box. This idea had to be consistent, and we had to apply it to all the elements that encompassed the box. It can be seen quite clearly in the color of the sinks or all the doors.

Nothing is what it seems

We play with light, materials, and reflections to achieve a much more spacious and luminous perception of the area, where the boundaries of the home seem to blur. The use of mirrors has been key to expanding the spaces by reflecting the rest of the environment. Furthermore, they have allowed us to bounce natural light and create a greater sense of depth.

"When a project ends, a mix of emotions arises. On one hand, vertigo; you never know if what looks so beautiful in your head has been successfully captured. On the other hand, relief; you release a tension that has been with you for a while. And finally, a great sense of satisfaction when thinking about what your team is capable of achieving."

Photography: Santi G. Barros