CASA CERDÁ BUILDING
Murcia, 2023
The rehabilitation project of the Casa Cerdá building undertakes the comprehensive transformation of one of the most recognizable architectural icons in the historic center of Murcia. Conceived in the 1930s by municipal architect José Antonio Rodríguez Martínez, the building stands out for its monumental façade, its dome-topped pavilion, and the rich ornamentation of its balconies, bay windows, and cornices, making it a key element in the city’s urban landscape.
The intervention is based on deep respect for the building’s heritage value, preserving its exterior appearance intact and highlighting its most representative original elements. The work focuses on the meticulous restoration of the envelope, using techniques that ensure the conservation of original materials and recover the chromatic quality of the brickwork, artificial stone elements, and decorative ironwork.
A key aspect of the project is the replacement of the windows and doors, designed as faithful replicas of the originals but enhanced with modern thermal and acoustic insulation systems, thus combining energy efficiency with formal preservation.
Inside, the building adopts a new layout, moving from three to two apartments per floor. This decision allows for larger, brighter, and more functional dwellings, adapted to current needs without altering the building’s structural logic or original spirit. The technical intervention is completed with upgraded installations, improved accessibility, integrated passive cross-ventilation systems, and a commitment to construction quality and long-lasting materials.
The intervention in Casa Cerdá transforms the existing spaces into spacious, light-filled homes adapted to contemporary living, while preserving the historic character of the building. The new layout optimizes the relationship with the exterior, enhances the entry of natural light, and highlights the value of the original bay windows and balconies.
Original elements such as hydraulic tile floors, ceramic wainscoting, and wrought iron pieces are preserved and reintroduced, combined with contemporary materials in a neutral and elegant palette. The common areas —courtyards and entrance hall— are reinterpreted with ceramic cladding, vegetation, and natural light, creating a serene atmosphere that balances the historic and the contemporary.
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Design Credits:
Partners in charge: Manuel Clavel Rojo / Luis Clavel Sainz (Clavel Arquitectos)
Project Director: Manuel Clavel Rojo / Luis Clavel Sainz (Clavel Arquitectos)
Team: Ana Abellán Márquez, Lorena Pérez Palomar, Pedro José López Carrillo, Joaquín Pérez Vicente, Elena García Jiménez, Cristina Rodrigo de la Casa, Fran Abellán Estevan, Agustín Morazzoni.
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Collaborators: Qube Ingeniería (Iago González Quelle), Estudio S2 Ingeniería y Mantenimiento S.L.
Construction Manager: David Hernández Conesa
Contractor: Coalber S.L.
Owner: El Ciruelo S.L.
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Photography: David Frutos