A former fur shop becomes a light-filled compact home in Madrid

In Madrid in an apartment block, BURR Studio he turned an abandoned fur shop into Benito – a modern, efficient home for two that balances openness with smart spatial planning. The architects approached the small space as both a technical challenge and a design opportunity, creating a layered interior that makes the most of its unusual two-level plan and spatial quirks inherited from the building’s commercial past.

A minimalist kitchen and dining room with white walls, a round table, two wooden chairs, a stainless steel kitchen island, open shelves and a staircase leading to the loft library.

The distinctive L-shaped part of the building defines its layout and atmosphere. The lower lane, at street level, rises to an airy height of approximately 13 feet, creating a generous volume for the main living space. Above it, the mezzanine level is about 5 feet 11 inches higher, forming a raised platform that allows cars to pass underneath on their way to the shared garage in the basement. This clever structural arrangement divides the house into two parallel zones: one public and open to the street, and the other more private and retreat-like above.

A minimalist kitchen with a stainless steel island, a white staircase leading to a loft with bookshelves and an exposed concrete column. Light comes in from the door at the back.

At the intersection of these two areas is the defining feature of the project – a pure white staircase that serves as both a sculptural focal point and a practical storage hub. Beneath its geometric form, BURR Studio has hidden a compact bathroom and a series of stepped partitions that follow the slope of the stairs. These hidden storage units contain essentials such as kitchen appliances, pantry and cleaning supplies, while maintaining a flawless appearance. The compact bathroom below looks almost like something on a train or plane – efficient and just the right size.

A minimalist interior with white stairs, a concrete pillar, built-in wooden shelves filled with books and a simple wooden bench.

A modern, minimalist interior with white cabinets, a stainless steel sink and a staircase leading to a mezzanine with a large bookshelf.

A small, minimalist bathroom is integrated under the stairs, with a toilet, a compact sink and an illustrated sign on the wall.

A minimalist kitchen with white stepped elements, an induction hob on a stainless steel island and neutral walls.

A minimalist kitchen with open white shelves that hold dishes, glasses, ceramics and decorative items; the elegant metal plate is in the foreground.

Circulation flows through the house in a U-shaped loop, starting at the entrance and wrapping through the living spaces before returning to the front facade on the upper level. Large openings at both ends of the house promote natural cross ventilation and draw daylight inside. Each level also opens up to outdoor spaces: the lower one connects to the communal courtyard, while the upper level spills onto a more private designed terrace.

A minimalist kitchen with white walls, open shelves for dishes and containers, a stainless steel sink and a white staircase railing in the foreground.

A minimalist living space with a white sofa, a round white side table, a light blue modern chair, beige walls and a white railing overlooking a lower level with shelves.

A minimalist living space with a white sofa, a round wall light, a blue chair and a white metal railing overlooking the lower level. It features neutral tones and simple, modern furniture.

The restrained color palette enhances the sense of calmness of the project. Smooth white surfaces reflect light, making the modest footprint appear more expansive. Against this backdrop, a central timber structure brings warmth and texture upstairs – an integrated wardrobe and bookcase system, along with its own full bathroom, separates the bedroom from the living room.

A minimalist loft interior in neutral tones, with a white sofa, a light blue modern chair, framed artwork on the floor and a railing overlooking the lower level.

Minimalistic white interior with geometric stairs, framed art print, stacked magazines, small sculpture and decorative lamp.

A minimalist interior with a light blue sculptural chair, framed artwork leaning against white stairs and decorative items on the stairs in a neutral-toned room.

A modern living space with a white sofa, a brown accent wall, a round wall light, a black floor lamp and a white railing overlooking the lower level.

To manage uneven ceiling heights and hide common building services, the architects introduced a half-pipe vault above the public spaces. This soft, curved form gives a sense of visual unity to the compact apartment.

A hallway with built-in wooden bookshelves, a table lamp and a small sculpture; at the end are two monochrome artworks and a light blue chair.

A bedroom with a bed with pink pillows, a wooden headboard, a table lamp, an alarm clock, a book, a small figurine and a concrete pillar in a modern, minimalist interior.

A bed with pink sheets and pillows is placed next to the wooden headboard, with two silver lamps, a clock and trinkets on the headboard shelf.

A minimalist bedroom with built-in wooden wardrobes and a platform bed with a pink quilt and matching pillows, next to a reading lamp.

A minimalist bedroom with a pink bedspread, wooden wardrobes, built-in shelves and an open door leading to the bathroom.

A minimalist living space with a white sofa, a unique blue chair, a small round table, a wall clock and an attached terrace with orange chairs and a table. A large plant in the foreground.

A modern balcony with sliding glass doors opens to a minimalist living space with white walls, a sofa, a chair, flower pots and an open table with yellow chairs.

To learn more about Benito and BURR Studio, visit burr.studio.

Photo by Maru Serrano.

Caroline Williamson is the editor-in-chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found scavenging for vintage products, solving New York Times crossword puzzles with a pen, or rearranging a playlist on Spotify.



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