Comprehensive rehabilitation of a building in Madrid: design and heritage preservation
Historic building restoration: a full-scale intervention on Calle Atocha
As a company specialised in building rehabilitation, KALAM has carried out a comprehensive intervention on the property located at Calle Atocha 40, with a rear façade on Calle Magdalena 27, within the historic centre of Madrid. Promoted by ELAIA INVESTMENT SPAIN SOCIMI S.A. and designed by Gaztelu Arquitectos in collaboration with Julio Prado, the project’s main objective was to integrate contemporary design with the building’s original architectural character, adapting it to new residential uses without compromising its identity.
Scope of the rehabilitation works
The intervention covered all key aspects of a full-scale building rehabilitation. Structural reinforcements were executed alongside upgrades to the building roofs and façades, ornamental restoration, interior reconfiguration with new finishes, and improvements in accessibility and energy efficiency.
As with other projects undertaken by companies specialising in building rehabilitation, the presence of KALAM’s own skilled workforce of tradespeople and specialists proved decisive. This in-house capability ensured integral management of the construction process, delivering high technical quality and meeting established deadlines.
Conservation of the architectural heritage
The building, dating from the end of the 19th century, forms part of the protected site of the Cerca y Arrabal de Felipe II. The compulsory restoration has included the main façades, the access passage and the imperial staircase, preserving the original elements that make the common areas unique.
In the interior, pre-existing decorations have been maintained and integrated into the new design. The new homes stand out for their quality, comfort and luminosity, especially in the penthouses, which have private terraces overlooking the urban landscape of historic Madrid. The refurbishment maintains the residential use but updates it to contemporary standards while recovering historical elements that give character to the proposal.
Various views of a penthouse showcasing the bright, open-plan interiors
The distinctive character of the building’s shared spaces fully recovered
The distinctive character of the building’s shared spaces fully recovered
Technical and structural intervention
The building had structural, plumbing and conservation pathologies. Work was carried out on the wooden structure, replacing deteriorated main beams, repairing the decking and replacing parts such as A-frames and side beam in poor condition. Given the state of many of the pre-existing wooden structures, it has also been decided in the recovery of these traditional floor slabs to apply a reinforcement layer of 7 cm compression and the placement of OSB type waterproof board.
As part of the specific work to consolidate this building, the wooden load-bearing walls were also reinforced with laminated profiles. The structure of the sleepers and main beams has also been restored, replacing those parts in poor condition and splicing, bracing and strapping the new and pre-existing elements with the aid of metal parts. In those elements that could be conserved, the pieces were sanded and cleaned, and then the surface of the lignified element was primed with an anti-fungus product, and the cracks and faults identified were filled in.
Structural intervention on the pre-existing timber framework during the works
Restoration of façades and exterior elements
The intervention on exterior walls included the restoration of plastering, decorative elements, cornices, balconies, joinery and shutters. The commercial image of the premises at street level has also been refurbished, respecting the characteristic elements that make up the visual identity of the building.
On the roof of the block facing Calle Magdalena, following the structural consolidation work, a communal area with a swimming pool and solarium has been fitted out, offering privileged views of the historic centre of Madrid.
Views of the façade facing Calle Atocha during the works and after completion
Detail of the intervention on the façade: recovery of finishes in Calle Magdalena
Detail of the intervention on the façade: recovery of the ornamentation on the cornice in calle Atocha
Project outcome and heritage value
The outcome is a rigorous refurbishment that respects the built heritage and enhances the value of traditional Madrid architecture, adapting it to today’s standards of habitability and comfort. The homes have all the necessary modern facilities, in a unique and bright environment, with improved access and preserved historical character.
Recovery of listed heritage and the character of a historic building in central Madrid, now adapted to current comfort and performance standards
