Black Box Apartment consist of a residential renovation that takes place within a 100-square-meters existing space. The project approach began by analyzing the original set, where small and wasted areas were identified. By this way, the intervention is born from the idea of making the most of the hidden spaces and original materials, in order to achieve spaciousness, crossed ventilation and natural lighting.

Inside, a black box-shaped volume dominates the central space, working as the main axis that contains the services and the storage area, allowing to release the rest of the program to move flexibly according to the inhabitant’s daily activities. This box was purposefully cladded with blacksmith and mirror finishes, in order to give the feeling of depth and reflect the daylight to illuminate the most shading areas. Also, this volume communicates the private spaces through a wooden hallway that emphasizes its length with a ceiling-light drawer.

One of the visual elements that stand out is a reticulated slab unveiled from the original structure, which was left exposed along with the block walls and concrete floors, giving a raw and timeless character to the apartment. A combination of textures and materials was considered to create a dialogue between the existing and the contemporary, exalted by natural and artificial lighting. 

On both sides of the social and private spaces, white handleless cabinets were built over the walls, this storage spaces were crafted from wood frames and plywood sheets, merging the closet doors with the concrete floor joints.

The bedrooms contain false ceilings with indirect light and track lighting fixtures, drawing the attention of the intervention. On upper level, a service balcony was occupied to re-shape the staircase, hiding the laundry space and expanding the kitchen area, bathed in beautiful diffused daylight. 

Contemporary furnishing and elegant details were used to contrast with the rough and sober materials, while the landscape design creates green accents based on local vegetation and edible plants.