Ateneo
The studio’s intervention at the Ateneo de Madrid (2022-2023) marks a transformative chapter in the refurbishment of this bicentennial institution, a cornerstone of Spanish intellectual history. Tasked with updating the space while honoring its heritage, the team developed a bespoke furniture collection that bridges the gap between the building’s 19th-century roots and contemporary relevance. Their objective was to evolve the institution's identity, moving beyond the traditional English-club aesthetic towards a refreshing atmosphere that resonates with modern Spanish history.
A central element of this collection is the Sofa B.F.M.F 04 (Bent Foam Metal Frame), part of an experimental series that explores shaping material through physical pressure. By rotating a single block of foam 90 degrees and "pinching" it with a slender iron structure, the team created a unique silhouette upholstered in whiskey-colored velvet by Nobilis. This piece, along with the Ateneo Floor Lamp—an anthropomorphic design in wood and metal that emits a warm 2100K orange glow—brings a sense of intrigue and presence to historical rooms like "La Cacharrería."
The project also pays homage to local craftsmanship through the Ateneo Tile Table. These pieces feature hydraulic tiles created by a master mosaicist in Madrid, reinterpreting Hispano-Arabic models found in the institution’s archives. The designs incorporate symbolic elements such as acorns and oak leaves, motifs deeply rooted in the Ateneo’s Masonic history and the artisanal drawings of its Portrait Gallery. To complete the spatial experience, the team designed the Ateneo Seat Cushions, specifically tailored to complement the iconic Trenat rattan chairs, maintaining the "cool" and airy material heritage of the club.
Through this meticulous selection of materials—iron, poplar plywood, and hydraulic tiles—the studio ensures that the Ateneo continues to define the present. By merging historical symbolism with industrial experimentation, they have created an environment where intelligence and design are once again impregnated into the very furniture of the house.