Contemporary Rereading of an Eclectic Home

Working closely with local tradespeople and following an integrated planning process, BAT (Bilbao Architecture Team) completed the renovation of RA Apartment, an early 20^th-century residence in the heart of Bilbao, in just eight months.

From the decorative moldings to the handcrafted millwork and solid wood floors, the renovation preserves and highlights the home’s historic character, while also integrating the conveniences of contemporary living. While respecting the original layout, the project reinterpreted it through a contemporary lens, turning the sequence of rooms into an architectural narrative.

Dominated by a sculptural chandelier – a composition of handblown glass spheres in crimson, bottle green, and Bilbao blue – the entrance welcomes visitors with an interplay of light and color, establishing the chromatic motif of the entire residence, where a neutral backdrop is brought to life by striking colorful accents. A series of arches, which are subject to historic preservation regulations, becomes an architectural language that reinterprets the home’s original geometry. Repeated in the ceilings, they evoke the apartment’s original layout and, by opening the space at eye level, create an unexpected sense of breadth and continuity.

Defined by white tones paired with wood finishes, each room has its own identity through a single chromatic accent: red in the living room, green in the kitchen, and sand in the primary bedroom. A tasteful interplay of gloss and matte finishes, wood grain, and porcelain stoneware surfaces contributes to a restrained, elegant atmosphere throughout the apartment.

The design team approached the layout as if the home were two dwellings in one. The first functions as the public wing for daily living and contains the living room, dining room, and kitchen. The second is the private family wing, housing the primary suite and children’s bedrooms with private bathrooms, designed for independence and privacy.

The social hub of the home, the well-lit living room is framed by tall windows with city views. Mirrors and glass paneling visually expand the space by reflecting natural light and enlivening every surface. The dialogue between light and materials continues in the dining area – a warm, inviting space that connects seamlessly to the kitchen through curved wood partitions. In the sleeping quarters, the primary suite and its attached bathroom feature soft sand-toned textiles, an upholstered headboard, and a freestanding tub.

The sequence of rooms concludes with the home theater. Equipped with a projection screen, a professional audio system, a kitchenette, and a backlit bar, the space is dedicated to leisure and socializing. An advanced home automation system manages the audiovisual equipment, lighting, and HVAC, enabling customization of every detail, from ambiance to temperature.

An important aspect of the project is the architectural value of the building itself, a representative example of Bilbao’s early 20^th-century residential eclecticism, with ornate façades,
wrought-iron balconies, carved decorations, and interiors with high ceilings and large windows. The design team reinterpreted this heritage with creativity and technical precision in a residence that balances history and contemporaneity.

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RA Apartment

Aglow with shifting reflections of light and color, a sculptural blown glass chandelier dominates the entrance. The existing arches – subject to historic preservation regulations – frame the apartment’s circulation routes. © Erlantz Biderbost, courtesy of BAT

RA Apartment

Framed by tall windows with city views, the spacious, well-lit living room is distinguished by mirrors and glass paneling that visually expand the space by reflecting natural light and enlivening every surface. © Erlantz Biderbost, courtesy of BAT

RA Apartment

© Erlantz Biderbost, courtesy of BAT

RA Apartment

The primary bedroom with an en-suite bathroom is conceived as a refuge, where daily routines become wellness rituals. © Erlantz Biderbost, courtesy of BAT

RA Apartment

The warm and inviting living area connects to the kitchen via curved wood and glass partitions that reinterpret traditional dividers through a contemporary lens. © Erlantz Biderbost, courtesy of BAT

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