Loft Geométrico in Madrid by Ignacio Hornillos.

Ignacio Hornillos‘ Loft Geométrico in Madrid’s Simancas district stands is an interesting and largely unconventional piece of infrastructure. Industrial spaces sit alongside those reminiscent of the home, office, car park and cafeteria.

The building is as a conglomerate of seemingly incongruent elements that have become obsolete since 1970 when the structure was first erected. The growth and expansion of the city has generated new demand for housing, prompting architects to critically question the needs of a neighbourhood in a changing climate.

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Open floor plate is divided into areas with individual geometric elements, organizing a scheme that could at once be residential, industrial, or commercial. Circular, square and triangular extrusions anchor the spaces, creating areas that exist as private enclaves, while others encourage shared, public use.

Hornillos has drawn upon the work of America artist Sol LeWitt when designing the interior colour scheme. Bold bright hue brings exposed services to life, before illuminating walls and focusing our attention to the underside of ceilings. These moments of vivid energy sit in contrast to the rough concrete walls and exposed overhead services. The two languages – the industrial and the playful, bring an unexpected aesthetic to the project, creating a space that doesn’t quite fit into any conventional mould.

The car is typically not an object that is brought into living spaces, however, in this project it becomes just as important as the structure itself. With its significant presence, it acts as a nostalgic stimulus representing the functional needs of city dwellers.

Ignacio Hornillos’ Loft Geométrico can be seen as an investigation into how we live in the modern city. The diversity of the multi-use space explores the intersecting relationship between housing and industry, prompting a rethink on how we live.

[Images courtesy of Ignacio Hornillos. Photography by Asier Rua.]