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Collection by Sarah Akkoush
Editor’s Pick

Movable Walls Instantly Transform a Small Vacation Home from a Two-Bedroom to a Studio

A complete renovation by PKMN architectures smartly reimagines a tiny, dated space in Spain. For more compact remodels, pick up our November issue, on newsstands now.

María José García and Enrique Zepeda, permanent residents of Mexico, desired a second home in Salinas, Spain, that would be a European base for their frequent travels, as well as a guesthouse for family members and visitors. This tall order needed to be achieved in just 750 square feet of overall living space. Designing with these multiple functions in mind, Madrid-based PKMN architectures orchestrated a complete overhaul that would introduce flexibility and impermanence as central design principles. Transforming a choppy and dated flat, most of the new internal walls and partitions rotate effortlessly to meet different needs. Depending on the configuration, the home can be used as a two bedroom, one bedroom, or open studio space for parties or gatherings. The overall result, says PKMN’s David Pérez, is a home with “not one centimeter of space that cannot be lived to the maximum.”

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Viewed from the entryway, the living room is the main gathering space of the home. Dated parquet floors were replaced with modern ceramic tile. All walls and ceilings were re-plastered, and old windows were upgraded with energy-efficient double-glazed glass.
Viewed from the entryway, the living room is the main gathering space of the home. Dated parquet floors were replaced with modern ceramic tile. All walls and ceilings were re-plastered, and old windows were upgraded with energy-efficient double-glazed glass.
A movable partition wall divides the bedroom and living room. Rotating walls are guided on metallic tracks and outfitted with concealed electrical outlets and recessed tube lights. All moveable walls strategically double as storage in a floor plan where space is at a premium.
A movable partition wall divides the bedroom and living room. Rotating walls are guided on metallic tracks and outfitted with concealed electrical outlets and recessed tube lights. All moveable walls strategically double as storage in a floor plan where space is at a premium.
One movable wall shifts into place to transform the entry into the smaller of two bedrooms. Rotating storage is made of wood with a white finish; stationary millwork is fabricated from the same wood and is custom fit to the space.
One movable wall shifts into place to transform the entry into the smaller of two bedrooms. Rotating storage is made of wood with a white finish; stationary millwork is fabricated from the same wood and is custom fit to the space.
The small bedroom is outfitted with two beds, and can sleep up to three people. The kitchen can be seen through the adjacent hallway. María José and Enrique were intimately involved in the design process, and their changing needs can be met by shifting the positioning of the rooms as often as needed.
The small bedroom is outfitted with two beds, and can sleep up to three people. The kitchen can be seen through the adjacent hallway. María José and Enrique were intimately involved in the design process, and their changing needs can be met by shifting the positioning of the rooms as often as needed.
Though much of the apartment favors a minimal, white palette, the kitchen embraces pattern and texture through the warm wood counters and traditional ceramic tiling.
Though much of the apartment favors a minimal, white palette, the kitchen embraces pattern and texture through the warm wood counters and traditional ceramic tiling.
In the most open layout configuration, all bedroom walls are closed to create one large living space. By challenging the idea of permanent divisions, the design team was able to create a luxurious and open living area, without sacrificing the need for sectioned off bedrooms.
In the most open layout configuration, all bedroom walls are closed to create one large living space. By challenging the idea of permanent divisions, the design team was able to create a luxurious and open living area, without sacrificing the need for sectioned off bedrooms.