- Architecture & development
For the renovation of this home, the best of the past was polished and brought back to the fore. Respect for the original assets inspired this characterful design, named Casa Jazz. Above all, it was the varied finds of vintage designer furniture that set the team's inspiration sprites in motion. Join us for a look at the outcome of that process.
Behind Viraje is a team of passionate architects who set out to design spaces that transcend the present day. With the Casa Jazz project, they set to work in a building dating back to the 1970s in Valencia, Spain. From the start, the renovation was all about conservation. Indeed, several architectural qualities accounted for a typical look, such as low-situated windows and beams. However, the best discovery was hidden in the furniture the designers found there after they bought the property. With the allure of a sixties jazz club, the house did not care that there was a lot of potential in their hands. Fortunately, the architects thought the same. Therefore, they decided to preserve that specific atmosphere as carefully as possible while fusing it with their own vision. Selecting the right materials and appropriately reinterpreting the compartmentalised layout proved crucial for this. 
The central position was reserved for the kitchen. As the heart of the home, you need to be greeted by the vintage inspiration here from the first step inside. With an expressive use of wood, that goal already got off to a successful start. More specifically, the architects' choice fell on a dark walnut variety, with the necessary grain and nuances. In addition, an appropriate natural stone was sought for the worktop. Again, they ended up with a dark colour, this time with brown veins and red inlays. Not only does this combination look very successful, but it also comes with a special texture that beautifully highlights the stone's qualities. On the wall facing the living space, you can see that the presence of red repeats itself. Red ceramic bricks without joints converge into large areas without looking too fierce.
Casa Jazz is more than a time capsule to the 1960s
On the floor, you can see a light brown finish in microcement. That hue, too, is a deliberate move, given that it further enhances the reds and browns rather than tempering them. To provide another nod to mid-century, the metalwork was done in bronze. In addition, the alternation between round and angular shapes demonstrates a grounded architectural understanding. The island and ceiling, for instance, are strikingly soft on the eye, while the pattern of the bricks and the precision of the cabinetry offer an appropriate counterpoint. You notice the same interplay between the sleek dining table and the rather undulating matching chairs. 
Casa Jazz is more than a time capsule to the 1960s. Viraje's architects assured that the renovated property feels modern while remaining true to its own history. Any lover of vintage will therefore rightly feel appreciation for this creative approach.
Photography by David Zarzoso
Text by Cara Jacobs