A Minimalist Transformation of a Cartagena Neighborhood Home

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In the Barrio de la Concepción neighborhood of Cartagena, Spain, architecture studio meii estudio has reimagined a modest 1960s residence  into a minimalist example of contemporary design. Named Casa Cruda, the project embraces both preservation and renewal, resulting in a home that reflects the layered history of its neighborhood while offering a fresh, open way of living.

Covering about 2,153 square feet, Casa Cruda resists the temptation of a complete overhaul. Instead, meii estudio opted for a restrained project scope, where subtle yet decisive plans play up the home’s qualities. The result is a residence where renovated floors and rendered surfaces meet the rawness of original brick walls and timber roof trusses.

A minimalist room features a red chair, a modern art piece on a white wall, a blue metal ladder leading up, and green plants in the corner. Exposed brick is visible at the top.

The design philosophy avoids erasure; every scar, texture, and construction trace becomes part of the home’s identity. By layering the new over the old, Casa Cruda achieves a balance between modernity and authenticity, inviting its occupants to inhabit and enjoy the best of both worlds.

A black dog sits beside a yellow chair under a hanging light in a bright room with potted plants and a blue metal ladder leading to a skylight.

An orange pendant light hangs from a wooden beam ceiling near a green potted plant and a blue metal staircase against a white wall.

A blue metal ladder leads up to an open skylight in a room with wooden beams, a white wall, a plant, and a framed artwork.

One of the project’s most dramatic decisions was stripping the home to its structural core. Partitions, false ceilings, and outdated finishes were removed, revealing a spacious volume filled with potential. The process unveiled the fired brick party wall and exposed wooden beams that now define the atmosphere of the main living area.

Modern interior with light wood cabinets, exposed brick wall, and a colorful poster reading “Lose Your Mind, Find Your Heart”; green plant leaves in the foreground.

Modern kitchen with wood cabinets, built-in appliances, and white tile backsplash; sunlight casts geometric shadows on the floor and cabinets; exposed brick and wood beam ceiling.

Instead of hiding these original elements, the architects showcased them, allowing the materials to become a part of daily life. The stripped-back aesthetic is not just about minimalism, but the desire to expose the beauty of what was already there.

Modern kitchen with light wood cabinets, white tile backsplash, and exposed brick beam. Sunlight casts geometric shadows across the cabinets and a stool with oranges sits beside a green sofa.

Natural light plays a pivotal role in Casa Cruda. A large operable skylight was introduced into the tiled roof, creating sightlines to the sky above. The addition illuminates the house throughout the day, changing as the sun moves. Sunlight filters down through the open volume, revealing textures and connecting the interior with natural landscape outside. The skylight also provides access to a rooftop terrace, expanding the living experience beyond the enclosed shell of the house.

Modern kitchen sink with a single flower in a vase on the counter, wooden cabinets, open shelving, and sunlight casting shadows on the tiled backsplash and wall.

A green sectional sofa with patterned cushions sits in a modern living room with exposed brick, wooden ceiling beams, and minimal decor, including a small side table with amber glass objects.

At the core of Casa Cruda is a living room of nearly 300 cubic meters (10,600 cubic feet), conceived as a single flexible space that organizes daily activities. This double-layered area – with its original details above towards the ceiling, and the updated modern elements below – creates a dynamic juxtaposition between modern intervention and historical preservation.

A man sits on a green sofa in a modern living room with exposed wooden beams, large window, several plants, a black dog, and a small table with food.

A continuous sage green resin floor grounds the interior, extending upward into a 7-inch-high ceramic baseboard. Above this point, a floating cladding integrates technical systems discreetly, maintaining clean lines and openness. The volume is rounded out with vegetation, curated lighting, local artworks, and carefully selected furniture, which personalize the expansive space without overwhelming it.

A bright hallway with light wood flooring leads to a living room with concrete floors, a large window, exposed wooden ceiling beams, and a green sofa.

A wavy-edged blue mirror partially reflects light blue square tiles on a bathroom wall.

White tiled staircase ascends beside a glossy tiled wall, with green plants and natural light coming from a window above, under a wooden ceiling.

White tiled bathroom wall with a round mirror reflecting a doorway, an exposed light bulb with an orange fixture, and two metal taps below the mirror.

For more information on Casa Cruda and meii estudio, visit meii.es.

Photography by Hiperfocal.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.



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