Ascer Ceramic House by Héctor Ruiz-Velázquez

The tagline “Unlimited Space” does not reference an unbounded expanse of space but rather free reign of treatment of a given space. Ascer Ceramic house, designed by Héctor Ruiz-Velázquez of Garcia & Ruiz Arquitectos, demonstrates that a building can be volumetrically structured without a set of planometric constraints. This attitude promoting spatial flexibility creates the opportunity for tiered steps along hallways, cantilevered benches and counters, floating platforms and bookcases, as well as descended ceilings. This adult playground of workspaces and meeting areas is extremely dynamic and caters to the creative thought induced by the project’s commission. The Spanish Association of Tile and Ceramic Flooring Manufacturers requested a new housing concept for this Madrid residence, and it has received just that in return – and perhaps a little more. The core deliverable of the company has worked its way into the interior design of the house; white ceramic tiles present themselves in squares along footpaths as well as in long bars that line the walls and tables, both forms’ directionalities guiding visitors in navigation of the prototype space.

Images ©Pedro Martinez