Proyecto Veta

A residence in the heart of the Almerimar port initially presented as a fragmented apartment with limited connection to the exterior. The intervention by JAO Arquitectura has reinstated a renewed sense of openness and fluidity, establishing an ongoing dialogue with the maritime landscape. Over a surface area of 178 m², the reorganisation is centred around the so-called “veta”: a central band that not only structures the spatial distribution but also accommodates key functions such as the kitchen and bathrooms, becoming the home's defining axis. To the north and south of this line lie two macroareas: the living zone, open and multifunctional, oriented towards views of the port, and the more intimate, private sleeping zone, reimagined through materials that afford visual continuity. Natural light, enhanced by a lighting design developed in collaboration with Grupo Seac, heightens spatial perception, while the selection of colours and finishes underscores the unified and sophisticated character of the renovation.

The material research played a decisive role in redefining the residence. The architects chose Marazzi surfaces as a key element to ensure aesthetic coherence, functionality, and durability. “Our studio,” Ana Sara Hidalgo Peregrín, architect at JAO Arquitectura, “has always considered it essential to work with materials that embody Mediterranean values. Ceramics is a material present in our projects in flooring, cladding, or tiling. It is perfectly suited to projects undertaken in this region, where high humidity levels and elevated temperatures prevail. Furthermore, it serves as a cultural element: a material associated with ease of cleaning and maintenance and, in many respects, timeless.

The flooring throughout the entire residence was realised using the Cementum series in 120x120 cm formats, alternating the Ash tone in the more neutral areas with Indigo within the “veta”, specifically in the kitchen and bathrooms. This solution allowed for a continuous laying pattern to be maintained while varying the colour, establishing a chromatic equilibrium between the solidity of the grey tones and the depth of the blue, which recalls the surrounding maritime environment. For the vertical claddings, the Zellige collection from the Crogiolo series in the China colour (10 x 10 cm) was selected; its glazed surface introduces luminous vibrations and iridescent reflections, enriching the monochromatic palette with vivid, dynamic nuances.

The use of ceramics transcends a merely decorative function, structuring the perception of the spaces: the main and guest bathrooms acquire an almost theatrical quality, while the kitchen—conceived as the vibrant heart of the home—assumes characteristics of durability and elegance through the ceramics. The Marazzi collections enable the creation of a continuous floor with a single format in two colours, constituting a fundamental element of the design concept. The glazed pieces add brilliance and texture, imparting the character we sought. The selection of a coherent range of materials has enabled the reinforcement of the concept of a unified project, where every detail contributes to shaping a contemporary home integrated into the Mediterranean context.


Ph. Adam Garcia