Mazarí residential building in Málaga
Endosdedos arquitectura  

Mazarí residential building in Málaga

Endosdedos arquitectura  


This new seven-unit apartment block is located in the Málaga neighborhood of Molinillo, at Duque de Rivas 48. The project name, Mazarí, refers to both ceramic material and the kiln used to make it in a week-long baking process. With a tradition that dates back to the 16th century, fourteen historical tile factories still stand in nearby Vélez-Málaga.

Urban restrictions prevented full use of the plot, so the remaining ground became a small interior garden, which maintains vestiges of the original construction in the masonry of the existing party walls. The building rises four levels and the top one is a solarium with a small swimming pool.

Both the exterior and the interior are characterized by the use of tiles in different formats and finishes. The main facade is built with untoned solid brick from Vélez-Málaga, with lime-mortar jointing. Its modular composition is determined by the format of the bricks and the ceramic lattices (15 x 15 x 7 cm), which define the balconies and solar protections. The latter are movable and tucked away, when not used, in metal frames, so they can be adjusted along the galleries. The design of the facade seeks to connect visually with other buildings in the area that use the same material.

In contrast, the rear elevation presents a less orderly arrangement of voids and solids, with ceramic frames on a canvas of natural Roman lime mortar, serving as a backdrop for the courtyard-garden. Inside, ceramic tiles in natural tones, ocher, and blue are combined with terrazzo flooring and oak woodwork, complementing the overall color scheme.