Correo Viejo studio restores a 1920 building in Valencia, reclaiming its original essence

It is with great satisfaction that Exágono presents this project by Correo Viejo studio, led by architects Ana Beltrán and Eva Sanjuán. The mission of this magazine is to discover outstanding professionals like them and to showcase their projects and passionate approach to architecture, interior design, art, and craftsmanship. We appreciate when they share their inspirations, design concepts, and every detail—there’s no one better to do so than the creators themselves.

In this housing renovation project, the goal was to restore the building to its original state, bringing back the wonderful characteristics it had when designed in 1920 by Valencian architect Javier Goerlich, known for his quality materials and well-crafted details across various building types. 

Although the building is not officially protected, we decided to rehabilitate it as if it were, enhancing the value of its history. We treat each project as an opportunity to revitalize heritage by safeguarding its memory

Architectural heritage is more than just structures that have withstood time; it’s the backdrop of people’s pasts. Places with their own voices that we at Correo Viejo listen to attentively. We are passionate about delving into these memories to understand their culture and preserve their essence.

We begin our projects by visiting the Historical Archive. In this case, we discovered that the building originally consisted of seven dwellings, not four as we found it. It was designed with two apartments per floor and one on the ground floor. We aimed to restore its original composition and, after several meetings with the city council, obtained permission to reinstate the original number of units. 

We learned that the building’s original developer was Don José Abad, a bronze artisan of the time, who had his workshop on the ground floor and within the building’s courtyard. We were fortunate to meet his family, who shared the building’s history with us. 

At Correo Viejo, we recover materials, techniques, and ancient crafts that serve as bridges between the past and the future.

Given that the building was constructed by a family of bronze artisans, we incorporated bronze details such as faucets and door handles to honor the building’s history and its inhabitants.

A 1924 photograph provided by the family revealed the building’s original appearance, which differed from its current state. In the 1950s, a bay window made of masonry and aluminum was added to the main floor, disrupting the façade’s harmony. Floor openings had also been altered. 

We restored all the main façade’s moldings to their former glory, removing the added elements and repairing or replicating missing moldings with the help of a local artisan. We chose not to complete the friezes connecting the side windows to the balcony, subtly indicating the restoration work. 

Although the city council did not require it, the building’s history compelled us to install new wooden carpentry matching the original composition and materials. 

The façade restoration was carried out with great respect for the past, preserving details and the bluish-gray color of the main façade. We introduced a subtle touch and unique identity to the housing development with new wooden Barcelona shutters in beautiful tones drawn from the building’s original color palette.

The design and architecture of the apartments were executed with attention to detail and quality construction, as envisioned by architect Goerlich. Bronze details, crafted within the building, have been reintegrated into the interior spaces. 

Buildings that enhance the neighborhood and people’s lives

These homes are designed for people who want to live sustainably and engage with neighborhood life—who want to inhabit a restored building that preserves its original features while being updated inside. A building that has come back to life and once again belongs to the neighborhood.

In developing the project, we paid close attention to its relationship with the surrounding area. We recovered existing elements that carry value and identity. We sought to reinforce the collective character of the building. We entered the neighborhood with respect for its origins and its urban image. We built using new materials that support the overall sustainability of the architectural ensemble. We chose to use plant-based insulation materials, as insulation enhances indoor comfort and energy efficiency, taking into account both thermal and acoustic performance.

Interior space design

We are interested in learning from historic buildings to apply their proportions, layouts, and materials in new constructions. In this project, we enhanced the idea of a main space connected by tall double doors to a secondary bedroom or study, just as the original apartments were designed. These are modestly sized homes, and we found it compelling that the main space could expand according to the needs of the inhabitants.

We designed a custom furniture piece to separate the more public area of the home from the more private one. This unit is multifunctional and brings together different uses: it provides storage, conceals access doors, and creates a strong visual identity within the home. The kitchen furniture is also integrated into the living-dining area, forming a central element of the apartment’s overall design.

Each apartment follows a clear functional layout that defines the use of each area and also informs the selection of materials and the identity of each space. Entry is always into a spacious, distinctive area of the home.

The original structure—wooden beams and curved ceramic vaults—was reinforced and preserved throughout the building. It remains visible, painted white, in the main room of each apartment and in the living-dining area with the study.

New interior doors were designed to match the originals: white lacquered wood, double panels, tall proportions, and bronze-finished handles.

From the very beginning, enhancing natural light in the apartments was a priority. The brightness, materials and details speak to the meticulous and heartfelt work we undertook to give these homes a new life.

Sustainable and traditional materials

We are committed to using sustainable and traditional materials, in line with the nature of the building being restored. Based on an analysis of the original materials, we created the project’s color palette.

Since we had to lift the original hydraulic tile flooring to reinforce the structure, we carefully recovered the tiles and reused them in the common areas, helping to preserve the building’s original identity.

We installed these beautiful pieces in the elevator lobbies, combining them with a more understated 20 x 20 cm grey tile resembling monochromatic hydraulic tiles, achieving a harmonious finish.

The floors in the apartments combine wood with new hydraulic tiles. We selected 20 x 20 cm tiles with geometric patterns for their aesthetic and constructive value. One tile introduces color through its pattern, while the other is a plain neutral shade.

These tiles are used in the wet areas of the homes. Depending on how the colored and neutral tiles are arranged, a variety of patterns emerge, allowing for unique combinations and a high degree of personalization in each apartment.

Bathrooms with distinct and customizable identities

The combination of geometric hydraulic tiles and small-format wall tiles—selected in different colors and shapes—plays a key role in defining the character of each bathroom. Based on the chosen pattern, we paired the tiling with blue, green or white accents to avoid overwhelming these small spaces.

The wall tiles in the bathrooms are 10 x 10 cm pieces in colors drawn from the building’s overall palette. Laid one by one, they create richly textured surfaces. The variety of colors allows for unique solutions tailored to each space. The interplay of textures and colors creates shifting surfaces that change with the light.

Each apartment has its own identity, with one dominant color chosen from the project’s design palette, allowing future residents to customize aspects of their home. We offered various options for users to choose from, including sample combinations, mood boards, floor plans and final images from the build.

In our architectural projects, we reclaim what has always worked in tradition and bring it forward with a spirit of innovation.

Small details that bring beauty to the building

In the original building, we discovered rosettes and moldings hidden behind false ceilings. We decided to reuse these decorative elements in areas with new ceilings, adding elegance through these subtle details.

The use of terracotta for the terrace flooring, with patterned layout and full-piece baseboards, brings warmth and a traditional feel to the outdoor areas.

The ground floor apartment features a small light well and a terrace in the rear courtyard, both treated with this same material. On the terrace, we exposed the original brick markings of the party wall, creating a highly expressive space through its combination with terracotta.

A commitment to wood

Wood is a constant presence in all historic buildings—in their structures, exterior joinery, and interior doors. It is the only fully ecological, sustainable and recyclable material, and with the right craftsmanship and maintenance, it can last for centuries. That is why we are committed to wood: all the new exterior joinery uses European-profile wood, matching the composition of the originals. At Correo Viejo, we preserve what has always worked in tradition.

Project: Promoción de 7 viviendas.
Location: Barrio de Ruzafa. Valencia.
Architecture: Estudio Correo Viejo. Arquitectas: Ana Beltrán y Eva Sanjuán.
Photography: Mariela Apollonio.
Completion: 2024.

Correo Viejo Studio

Correo Viejo is a multidisciplinary architecture studio committed to architecture, heritage, culture and people. Founded by architects Ana Beltrán and Eva Sanjuán in 2010, the studio emerged from a desire to pursue a more open and flexible professional path. They are bold, creative, honest and deeply engaged.

They research and design buildings and homes that aim to improve both neighborhoods and people’s lives, always rethinking and innovating through tradition. They question conventional solutions and dare to be different.

Their work constantly seeks to preserve, reactivate, recover and revalue cultural and traditional heritage, learning from it and applying those lessons to new buildings and homes, always highlighting the legacy of our cities. In new builds, they innovate by reclaiming what has always worked in the past, creating homes that are waiting to be lived in.

Ana and Eva work with passion, sensitivity, freedom and imagination. They love to reconnect with what is essential, through simplicity.

“Each home, each building, each neighborhood tells a story. Every corner holds countless lived moments. Architectural heritage is far more than enduring structures, it is the backdrop of people’s pasts. Places with their own voices that we listen to attentively. We are passionate about diving into those memories, seeking to understand their culture and preserve their essence.
In our architectural work, we innovate by reclaiming what has always worked in tradition. We seek to stir minds and challenge ourselves, recovering materials, techniques and ancient crafts that act as bridges between past and future.
We create spaces that awaken emotion, in homes that have been lived in, or those yet to be. We love to vibrate and make others vibrate, sharing our passion for architectural heritage, historic neighborhoods, culture and people,” they explain.

Project by Estudio Correo Viejo