The former theatre itself being the project’s soul: From a one-hundred-year-old manor house and abandoned village theatre to a single-family home, Can Garrover’s contemporary renovation is located in Sencelles, Mallorca, one of Spain’s Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean. Bonba Studio pays homage to Can Garrover’s cultivated history, while giving it a second lease of life as a sophisticated Mediterranean home.
Determined not to lose the essence of what Can Garrover once was, the architects maintained many of the theatre’s original features.
The obvious differences between Menorca and Mallorca are that Menorca is smaller, quieter and low key than its larger and more popular Balearic island neighbour.
If there is a constructive element that defines Menorca, it is the marés stone. Omnipresent in prehistoric monuments, fortresses and churches, even in mills, it is used today for modern buildings even though the passing of time and new materials have ended up replacing it.
Due to its origin, marés is sandstone, of a variable colour between golden ochre and white. Its massive use in the construction sector on the island is due to its easy extraction and handling. It’s so ductile that even in some adornments of constructions it has replaced wood.
In Menorca there have been many quarries, above all in the areas around Ciutadella, Ferreries, Alaior and Maó (the capital and second largest city of Menorca); and some of them still exist today. Depending on where the marés comes from, both its quality and type varies. Its major inconvenience is its grand absorption to humidity and high rate of erosion, which means it must be maintained. For this reason, there is a diversity of opinions between architects about its use in housing although nobody doubts its historic, ornamental and aesthetic value.
On entering the house, we observe the restored marés stone archway through an iron and glass joinery and, instead of a red carpet, a path of limestone cobbles leads us to a series of en suite bedrooms.
On the first floor, the former stage functions as an interior courtyard, letting natural light flood into the adjoining rooms. This luminosity is accentuated by the predominant white of the open-plan, double height, kitchen-dining and living area.
Designed by Maria Rosello from RO2 interiorismo and with textiles from Las Panchas, the minimal style and neutral palette of this central space generates a relaxed atmosphere, placing greater emphasis on the soul of the project, the centre and essence of this scheme: the former stage. To enhance this understated aesthetic, the designer has selected two striking lighting designs from Vibia.
Seamlessly integrating into the interior architecture, an angular arrangement of Sticks illuminates the back wall. Designed by Arik Levy, Sticks generates a sense of balance and harmony through asymmetry and purity of form. Three minimalist rods rotate on their own axis, allowing light to be directed precisely where needed. Lean and refined, they draw lines of light with graphic precision, disrupting the architectural plane on which they rest, like a dynamic sculpture.
Contrasting with the linear nature of Sticks, a set of three Flamingo pendants take centre stage above the dining table. The work of Antoni Arola, these luminaires bring an atmosphere of warmth and hospitality to the central architecture of the home.
Based in Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, Bonba Studio is the brainchild of architects and founding partners Alex Llusià and Kika Estarellas who understand that each client has a unique set of desires based on their lifestyle, health, family and culture. Their work is personal and their builds deliver work in harmony with how their clients want to live and feel. The criteria used for their ‘Wellness Design’ means that each home built is unique to its owners wishes – following a scientific approach that sees their architecture influence the emotions felt in the interior. Spaces centred on well-being, backed by WELL certification standards (a holistic, personalised service in architecture, interior design and décor that nurtures positive experiences).
Following the requirements of the WELL certification, Bonba Studio create homes that put you at the centre. This includes taking care of the quality of the air, assessing which materials work well with your body and finding out what type of lighting helps lift your mood. Every aspect of the building is purposefully built to make you feel good inside and out.
location: Mallorca Island, Spain, EU | architect: Bonba Studio | lighting design: Vibia | photography: Oliver A.I.
