Located in a heritage-listed building in Bilbao, RA Apartment by BAT Architecture presents a refined study of balance, between preservation and innovation, ornament and restraint, memory and the present. The 305-square-metre residence redefines the classical vocabulary of its era, transforming an early 20th-century home into an example of classical modernity that bridges history and contemporary living.
RESIDENTIAL
The architects approached the project with a deep respect for the building’s fabric, preserving original mouldings, handcrafted joinery, and solid wood floors while introducing carefully considered interventions. Open layouts, energy-efficient systems, and precise lighting transform the apartment into a comfortable, intelligent, and cohesive living environment that honours its past without replicating it.
“RA Apartment is the result of an experienced client who embraced the reinterpretation of classical language for the 21st century,” says Xabier Arranz, founding partner of BAT Architecture. “It’s not a contemporary home, but an expression of classical modernity, achieved through precision, collaboration with local artisans, and an integrated design process completed in just eight months.”
The property’s heritage protection status required that the original layout remain intact, a restriction that BAT Architecture turned into opportunity. Through a subtle system of arches, echoed across ceilings and thresholds, the architects created a spatial rhythm that recalls the original plan while freeing the perception of space. Light now guides movement through the residence, gently defining transitions between rooms while maintaining visual continuity.
Every restored cornice, rosette, and carved detail was executed in collaboration with local craftspeople versed in traditional techniques, ensuring that the building’s architectural memory endures within a contemporary context. Suspended ceilings conceal modern installations and acoustic treatments, maintaining aesthetic integrity while introducing comfort and efficiency.
The home opens with an entrance hall illuminated by Bocci’s 28.13 pendant, a constellation of hand-blown glass spheres in tones of red, green, and Bilbao blue. The gesture establishes the project’s palette, a dialogue between tradition and modernity, muted backdrops and saturated accents. In the living area, restored mouldings frame a space defined by a red Ditre sofa, while light reflects off mirrored panels and large windows that flood the room with brightness. The dining area continues this rhythm, anchored by a Cattelan table beneath the sculptural presence of Bocci’s 57.13 installation.
The kitchen, separated by curved glass and wood partitions, becomes an informal meeting point. A minimalist island and green Bonaldo chairs add freshness, while Marset’s Ambrosia pendant provides a linear counterpoint of warmth. Each room integrates design and function, a dialogue between tactility, geometry, and comfort.
In the private quarters, the master suite adopts a softer tone. Sandy hues, an upholstered headboard, and a freestanding bathtub positioned before the windows create an atmosphere of quiet indulgence. The adjoining bathroom contrasts this calm with a monolithic marble block veined in gold and refined Steinberg fixtures.
The apartment’s structure allows two distinct modes of living: one for daily use, encompassing living, dining, and master suite, and another for family gatherings, where additional bedrooms feature independent bathrooms. The residence concludes in a private cinema room with a backlit bar and wallpaper by Cole & Son, depicting neoclassical façades populated by whimsical creatures, a surreal nod to the building’s historic character.
Technology integrates seamlessly throughout. Lighting, temperature, and audiovisual systems are managed through advanced home automation, complemented by underfloor heating and cooling. A sound system, landscape-inspired interiors, and curated vegetation contribute to a sense of continuity between the rooms.
“The project reinforces our belief that innovation and context can coexist,” says Peru Cañada, founding partner of BAT Architecture. “Each intervention respects the existing structure while elevating the experience of inhabiting it.”
The RA Apartment feels both historic and new, grounded in tradition yet entirely of its time, a refined dialogue between heritage and classical modernity.
